Dysmenorrhoea is associated with central changes in otherwise healthy women

Patients with chronic pain conditions demonstrate altered central processing of experimental noxious stimuli, dysfunction of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, and reduced quality of life. Dysmenorrhoea is not considered a chronic pain condition, but is associated with enhanced behavioural responses to experimental noxious stimuli. We used behavioural measures, functional magnetic resonance imaging, and serum steroid hormone levels to investigate the response to experimental thermal stimuli in otherwise healthy women, with and without dysmenorrhoea. Women with dysmenorrhoea reported increased pain to noxious stimulation of the arm and abdomen throughout the menstrual cycle; no menstrual cycle effect was observed in either group. During menstruation, deactivation of brain regions in response to noxious stimulation was observed in control women but not in women with dysmenorrhoea. Without background pain (ie, in nonmenstrual phases), activity in the entorhinal cortex appeared to mediate the increased responses in women with dysmenorrhoea. Mean cortisol was significantly lower in women with dysmenorrhoea and was negatively correlated with the duration of the symptom. Additionally, women with dysmenorrhoea reported significantly lower physical but not mental quality of life. Thus, many features of chronic pain conditions are also seen in women with dysmenorrhoea: specifically a reduction in quality of life, suppression of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, and alterations in the central processing of experimental noxious stimuli. These alterations persist when there is no background pain and occur in response to stimuli at a site distant from that of the clinical pain. These findings indicate the potential importance of early and adequate treatment of dysmenorrhoea.     

中国老年健康人群血常规检测结果多中心调查

目的:根据全国多地区临床中心调查结果,分析我国表观健康老年人群全血常规检测相关参数分布特点,探讨血常规指标水平随年龄变化的特点,了解中国老年人血常规检测常用项目的分布水平。方法:2018年4-7月,纳入全国10家临床中心医院年龄≥60岁表观健康老年人共7 613名,其中60~69岁3 808名,70~79岁2 222名...     

老年表观健康人群血小板聚集功能检验结果调查与分析

目的:通过标准化检测技术对全国多地区表观健康老年人血小板聚集功能进行调研,分析我国表观健康老年人群血小板聚集功能特点及与年龄相关参考区间,以促进抗血小板药物的合理应用。方法:2018年1月至2019年8月,纳入全国6家三甲医院≥60岁表观健康老年人共5 658名,通过标准化的全自动血小板聚集仪对纳入对象分别进行花生四烯...     

Reduced pain inhibition is associated with reduced cognitive inhibition in healthy aging

The analgesic effect of heterotopic noxious counter-stimulation (HNCS; “pain inhibits pain”) has been shown to decrease in older persons, while some neuropsychological studies have suggested a reduction in cognitive inhibition with normal aging. Taken together, these findings may reflect a generalized reduction in inhibitory processes. The present study assessed whether the decline in the efficacy of pain inhibition processes is associated with decreased cognitive inhibition in older persons. Healthy young (18-46 years old; n = 21) and older (56-75 years old; n = 23) adult volunteers participated in one experimental session to assess the effect of HNCS (cold pain applied on the left forearm) on shock pain and RIII reflex induced by transcutaneous electrical stimulation of the right sural nerve. In the same session, participants also performed a modified Stroop task, including a target condition requiring the frequent switching between inhibition and no inhibition of the meaning of color words. The analgesic effect induced by HCNS was significantly smaller in older participants for both shock-pain ratings (P < 0.001) and RIII-reflex amplitude (P < 0.05). The Stroop effect was significantly larger in elderly participants in the inhibition trials of the switching condition. Increased cognitive interference (ie, larger Stroop effect) correlated with smaller inhibition of the RIII reflex by HNCS across groups (r = −.34, P = 0.025). This association was independent from the age-related slowing observed in control reading and naming tasks. These results suggest a generalized age-related reduction in inhibitory processes affecting both executive functions and cerebrospinal processes involved in the regulation of pain-related responses induced by competing nociceptive threats.     

Type 2 diabetes and cognitive function in community-dwelling elderly women

OBJECTIVE--To examine the relationship of type 2 diabetes to cognitive function in community-dwelling women. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS--From 1995 to 1999, we administered four tests of cognitive function (Telephone Interview of Cognitive Status [TICS], immediate and delayed recall of the East Boston Memory Test, and verbal fluency) by telephone to 2,374 participants (70-78 years of age) of the Nurses' Health Study. Information on diabetes was collected biennially beginning in 1976; 82 women reported type 2 diabetes before their cognitive testing. We used linear and logistic regression models to calculate multivariate-adjusted mean differences in scores and relative risks of a low score (bottom 10% of the distribution) for diabetic women compared with nondiabetic women. RESULTS--After multivariate adjustment, women with type 2 diabetes scored lower on all our cognitive tests than women without diabetes. On the general test of cognition (TICS), the mean difference in score between women with and without diabetes was -0.60 (95% CI -1.18 to -0.03, P = 0.04) and the relative risk of a low TICS score was 1.98 (95% CI 1.06 to 3.69). On a global score combining results of the four tests, the mean for diabetic women was lower than that among women without diabetes (adjusted difference in score -0.73, 95% CI -1.42 to -0.04, P = 0.04), and the relative risk of a low global score was 2.16 (95% CI 1.10 to 4.21). Relative to women without diabetes, longer duration of diabetes was associated with lower scores. Few diabetic women were pharmacologically treated (n = 31), but those taking medication had scores similar to those of women without diabetes. CONCLUSIONS--In these women, diabetes was related to lower scores on several aspects of cognitive function. Longer duration of diabetes may be associated with poorer scores, but hypoglycemic therapy may ameliorate scores.     

Factors associated with peripheral blood stem cell yield in healthy pediatric donors

Background and Objectives

Although several studies have reported on the use of children as donors for peripheral blood stem cells (PBSC), data on the predictive factors of CD34+ stem cell yield in healthy pediatric donors are very limited.

Environmental exposure to combustion-derived air pollution is associated with reduced functional capacity in apparently healthy individuals

Prior toxicological exposure reports demonstrated the decremental effect of several air pollutants on the metabolic equivalents achieved during exercise testing (METs). There are no prior large scale epidemiological reports about the effect of environmental air pollution exposure on those parameters. We analyzed a cohort of apparently healthy individuals attending a screening survey program held between 2003 and 2009. Participants were included if residing within an 11 km radius from the nearest air pollution monitoring station. Linear regression models were fitted for the metabolic equivalents and adjusted to short- and long-term air pollutant exposure (particulate matter under 10 micron, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide and ozone). The models were adjusted for possible confounders that affect air pollution and stress testing measurements. The study population comprised 6,612 individuals (4,201 males and 2,411 females). We found a statistically significant short- and long-term negative correlation between air pollutants, mainly CO and NO₂ and between the metabolic equivalents achieved. A similar short-term effect was found for SO₂. We conclude that exposure to combustion-derived air pollutants has a short- and long-term decremental effect on cardiorespiratory fitness as measured by exercise stress testing. Our epidemiological data support previous toxicological reports.     

Effects of ginseng on peripheral blood mitochondrial DNA copy number and hormones in men with metabolic syndrome: A randomized clinical and pilot study

BackgroundIt has been observed that mitochondrial dysfunction is associated with an increased risk of metabolic syndrome. There is growing evidence that hyperactivity of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and hormone (testosterone and growth hormone) deficiency may lead to metabolic syndrome. Recent studies have reported that ginseng treatment improves mitochondrial and HPA-axis function and increases anabolic hormone secretion.ObjectivesThe objective of this study was to investigate the effect of red ginseng (RG) on metabolic syndrome, hormones, and mitochondrial function using leukocyte mitochondrial DNA copy number in men with metabolic syndrome.MethodsWe performed a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in 62 subjects who were not taking drugs that could affect their metabolic function. A total of 62 men with metabolic syndrome were randomly assigned to either an RG group (3.0 g/day) or a placebo group for 4 weeks. We analyzed changes in metabolic syndrome components, leukocyte mitochondrial DNA copy number, hormones (total testosterone, IGF-1, cortisol, and DHEAS) and inflammatory markers (C-reactive protein, ferritin) from baseline to 4 weeks.ResultsSignificant improvement in mitochondrial function (95% CI −44.9 to −1.3) and an increase in total testosterone (95% CI −70.1 to −1.0) and IGF-1(P = 0.01) levels were observed in the RG group when compared with the placebo group. Diastolic blood pressure (95% CI 2.0–9.4) and serum cortisol (95% CI 1.1–5.5) significantly decreased in the RG group.ConclusionsWe found evidence that RG had a favorable effect on mitochondrial function and hormones in men with metabolic syndrome.     

Piperaquine resistance is associated with a copy number variation on chromosome 5 in drug-pressured Plasmodium falciparum parasites

The combination of piperaquine and dihydroartemisinin has recently become the official first-line therapy in several Southeast Asian countries. The pharmacokinetic mismatching of these drugs, whose plasma half-lives are ~20 days and ~1 h, respectively, implies that recrudescent or new infections emerging shortly after treatment cessation will encounter piperaquine as a monotherapy agent. This creates substantial selection pressure for the emergence of resistance. To elucidate potential resistance determinants, we subjected cloned Plasmodium falciparum Dd2 parasites to continuous piperaquine pressure in vitro (47 nM; ~2-fold higher than the Dd2 50% inhibitory concentration [IC(50)]). The phenotype of outgrowth parasites was assayed in two clones, revealing an IC(50) against piperaquine of 2.1 μM and 1.7 μM, over 100-fold greater than that of the parent. To identify the genetic determinant of resistance, we employed comparative whole-genome hybridization analysis. Compared to the Dd2 parent, this analysis found (in both resistant clones) a novel single-nucleotide polymorphism in P. falciparum crt (pfcrt), deamplification of an 82-kb region of chromosome 5 (that includes pfmdr1), and amplification of an adjacent 63-kb region of chromosome 5. Continued propagation without piperaquine selection pressure resulted in "revertant" piperaquine-sensitive parasites. These retained the pfcrt polymorphism and further deamplified the chromosome 5 segment that encompasses pfmdr1; however, these two independently generated revertants both lost the neighboring 63-kb amplification. These results suggest that a copy number variation event on chromosome 5 (825600 to 888300) is associated with piperaquine resistance. Transgene expression studies are underway with individual genes in this segment to evaluate their contribution to piperaquine resistance.     

人类免疫缺陷病毒感染儿童抗病毒治疗后外周血单个核细胞线粒体DNA含量检测

目的 研究我国人类免疫缺陷病毒(human immunodeficiency virus,HIV)感染儿童抗逆转录病毒治疗(active anti-retrovirus therapy,ART)后外周血单个核细胞(peripheral blood mononuclear cells,PBMC)线粒体DNA含量及其相关影响因素.方法 选择96例ART的HIV感染患儿、30例未治疗的HIV感染患儿及55例正常对照儿童,检测PBMC线粒体DNA含量,结合儿童的临床信息及实验室检测结果进行综合分析.结果 ART组患儿PBMC内线粒体DNA含量为(17.39±9.31),明显低于未治疗组患儿(26.35±11.74)及对照组儿童(28.37±12.14)PBMC内线粒体DNA含量,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.01);患儿ART后PBMC内线粒体DNA含量与基线CD4+T淋巴细胞计数、基线病毒载量、性别、年龄及HIV感染途径均无相关性.结论 PBMC线粒体DNA含量可反映儿童抗病毒治疗后的线粒体损伤毒性,可能成为线粒体毒性检测指标.     

Increased epicardial fat thickness is associated with cardiac functional changes in healthy women

Epicardial fat tissue is a visceral fat depot with anatomical and functional contiguity to the myocardium and coronary arteries. The objective of this study was to evaluate the association between epicardial fat thickness (EFT) and cardiac changes in healthy female subjects. The study population consisted of ninety-six consecutive healthy female (mean age 31.1 ± 6.7 years) who underwent transthoracic echocardiography. EFT was measured by echocardiography. Subjects were divided into two groups according to the EFT; EFT < 6 mm and EFT ≥ 6 mm. The cardiac structural changes, increased left atrial volume indices (LAVI) (41.2 ± 9.9 vs. 52.6 ± 12.5, p = 0.001) and left ventricular mass indices (LVMI) (129.6 ± 32.1 vs. 155.6 ± 31.6 p < 0.05), were observed in patients with increased EFT. Myocardial tei index (MTI), which was used to evaluate both systolic and diastolic functions, was higher with increased EFT (0.44 ± 0.07 vs. 0.48 ± 0.08, p = 0.02). The correlation analysis revealed significant correlation between EFT and each of LAVI (r = 0.312, p = 0.002), LVMI (r = 0.301, p = 0.003), body mass index (BMI) (r = 0.8, p < 0.001), and MTI (r = 0.27, p = 0.005). Multivariate regression analysis demonstrated that EFT was associated with BMI (t = 5.28, p = 0.001), MTI (r = 2.39, p = 0.019), LVMI (r = 2.16, p = 0.01), and LAVI (r = 3.21, p = 0.002). In conclusion, EFT is an important predictor of cardiac alterations in women who are prone to obesity.     

成年健康女性外周血免疫相关指标的分析

目的 探讨成年健康女性外周血中多项免疫相关指标合适的参考范围和临床价值.方法 采集21～40岁的356例成年健康女性外周血,测定血常规、T淋巴细胞亚群、自然杀伤(NK)细胞和B细胞的数量及百分比,采用免疫比浊法对免疫球蛋白(Ig)进行分析,采用95％ 置信区间表示各指标参考范围.结果 21～40岁成年健康女性白细胞计数的参考范围为(3.71～9.47)×109/L;CD3+CD4+绝对数参考范围为378.21～1170.02个/微升,百分比参考范围为23.73％ ～51.05％;NK细胞数参考范围为94.4～660.4个/微升;IgA、IgG、IgM的参考范围分别为1.10～4.01 g/L、9.51～15.80 g/L和0.64～2.57 g/L.结论 该研究全面评估了成年健康女性外周血免疫相关指标的均数和中位数,为基础研究和临床实验提供了较为规范的反映成年健康女性身体免疫状况的参考范围.     

Decreased copy number of mitochondrial DNA in Ewing's sarcoma

BackgroundSomatic mutations and germline variations in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) have been widely detected in a range of human malignancies including Ewing's sarcoma (EWS). However, it still remains unknown whether quantitative alterations in mtDNA level occur during the initiation and/or progression of EWS.MethodsTo test this possibility, we determined mtDNA copy number from 17 cases of EWS tumor tissues and 5 normal bone tissue samples using a quantitative real-time PCR assay.ResultsOur results showed that the average mtDNA content was significantly reduced in cancerous specimens as compared to that in normal bone controls. mtDNA copy number was statistically associated with tumor metastasis. There was an over 2-fold decrease in tumors with metastasis than in low-grade ones without metastasis. In addition, change in mtDNA content was related to somatic mutations in the D-loop control region. Tumors harboring D-loop mutations, at the polycytidine stretch between nucleotide positions 303 and 309 or close to the replication origin sites of the heavy strand, exhibited significantly lowered mtDNA levels in comparison with those without D-loop alterations.ConclusionsThe mtDNA content reduction may be an important genetic event in the carcinogenesis of EWS. This study provides evidence that somatic D-loop mutation is likely one of the key factors contributing to quantitative changes of mtDNA in EWS.     

Leptin increase is associated with markers of the hemostatic system in obese healthy women

Summary.  Background : Leptin, a hormone secreted by the adipose tissue, might be a link between obesity and increased morbidity for cardiovascular disease. Leptin exerts proinflammatory, pro-angiogenic actions by activating a specific receptor (Ob-Rb) which is expressed in human endothelial cells. Thus, a link may exist between leptin expression and endothelial dysfunction. Objectives : We sought to determine whether in obese women there is a correlation between leptin levels, endothelial perturbation and coagulative activation. Methods : Circulating levels of leptin, von Willebrand Factor (VWF), factor (F)VIIa, prothrombin fragment 1 + 2 (F1+2), were measured in 51 non-diabetic, obese women and in 51 normal-weight subjects, using immunoenzymatic assays. Results : Obese women had significantly higher levels of leptin, VWF, FVIIa, F 1+2 compared with healthy women. Simple correlation coefficients showed significant correlation between leptin and either VWF, FVIIa, or F 1+2 concentrations. A multiple linear regression analysis, performed to quantify further the relationship between leptin levels and the above-mentioned variables as well as the inflammatory marker C-reactive protein (CRP) and including age, body mass index (BMI), waist–hip ratio (WHR) and lipid parameters as potential confounders, revealed that only FVIIa and VWF were independently related to leptin levels. Reduction in adipose tissue after weight loss resulted in a decrease in both circulating leptin and endothelial and coagulative activation markers. Conclusions : We suggest that leptin might have pro-atherogenic effects in vivo , with a mechanism involving endothelial cell activation.     

Analysis of factors associated with successful allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell collection in healthy donors

BackgroundThe collection of a sufficient number of stem cells is important for success of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). This study aimed to investigate the factors associated with successful allogeneic peripheral stem cell (PBSC) collection in healthy donors.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed clinical data of allogeneic PBSC collection in 175 donors from 2007 to 2017 at the National Cancer Center, Korea. This study analyzed factors associated with the CD34+ cell yield such as the characteristics of donors, including age, laboratory results before apheresis, and data of procedures on the first day. The CD34+ cell dose of ≥ 4.0 × 10⁶/kg have recently been the accepted minimum recommended dose in allogeneic HSCT settings, and this was the target dose in our study.ResultsThe factors associated with the CD34+ cell yield were age (p = 0.007), baseline platelet (PLT) (p = 0.014), and pre-collection hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPCs) (p = 0.001) by multivariate analysis. This study represented that age, baseline platelet count, and pre-collection HPC count are important predictive factors as shown in other previous studies.ConclusionOur data suggest that young age, high baseline platelet counts and high HPC counts before collection might be useful for identifying successful mobilizers.     

Second mobilization and collection of peripheral blood progenitor cells in healthy donors is associated with lower CD34(+) cell yields

We have retrospectively evaluated the results of two cycles of mobilization and collection of peripheral blood progenitor cells (PBPC) from 46 healthy donors included in the Spanish National Donor Registry. Mobilization involved the administration of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) at a median dose of 10 microg/kg per day, and apheresis was begun after the fourth dose of G-CSF in both cycles. The median interval between both mobilizations was 187 days (range, 7-1428 days). The incidence and types of side-effects were similar after both donations, with 25 and 26 donors developing some toxicity after the first and second donations, respectively. The median number of CD34(+) cells collected was higher after the first mobilization than after the second (5.15 versus 3.16 x 10(6)/kg, respectively; p = 0.05), and 29 donors yielded fewer CD34(+) cells after the second mobilization (p = 0.018). A lower proportion of donors yielded CD34(+) cell counts >4 x 10(6)/kg after the second cycle than after the first (52% versus 76%, respectively; p = 0.057). Our study shows that second rounds of PBPC collection from normal donors are well tolerated but are associated with a significantly reduced number of CD34(+) cells collected when the same mobilization scheme is used.     

Red blood cell distribution width is associated with mortality in elderly patients with sepsis

Introduction

RDW is a prognostic biomarker and associated with mortality in cardiovascular disease, stroke and metabolic syndrome. For elderly patients, malnutrition and multiple comorbidities exist, which could affect the discrimination ability of RDW in sepsis. The main purpose of our study was to evaluate the prognostic value of RDW in sepsis among elderly patients.