Menarcheal age and socio-economic factors in Poland

Background:?Menarcheal age is the most important measure of sexual maturation in girls and a sensitive indicator of environmental conditions during childhood.

Objective:?The study analysed the association between age at menarche and socio-economic characteristics (urbanization, population size, education of parents and number of children in the family).

Subjects and methods:?Questionnaire data were collected from 3271 female schoolchildren born between 1981 and 1984, living in three provinces of southern Poland. Menarcheal age was estimated by the recall method and based on the date of menarche given by the study participants. ANCOVA and multiple regression analyses were applied to test statistical significance of differences between groups.

Results:?Girls from families with high socio-economic status experience menarche at an earlier age than girls from families with lower socio-economic status. However, depending on the geographical region and the population size, other factors influence menarcheal age. In the Krakow province, factors that significantly differentiate age at menarche are urbanization, father's education and number of children in the family; in the Opole province, these factors include urbanization and number of children in the family, while in the Nowy Sacz province, number of children in the family is significant.

Conclusions:?Socio-economic differences are greater in a large urban city (Krakow), and affect variation in age at menarche. However, within smaller populations (Opole, Nowy Sacz) living in towns and villages, the difference in age at menarche is less visible. In addition, variation between areas reveals a lower age at menarche in urban as compared with non-urban areas.

Résumé. Arrière plan: L’âge aux premières règles est une mesure importante de la maturation sexuelle des filles ainsi qu’un indicateur sensible des conditions du milieu au cours de l’enfance.

Objectif: Cette étude analyse l’association entre âge aux premières règles et facteurs socio-économiques (urbanisation, taille de la population, éducation parentale et nombre d’enfants dans la famille).

Sujets et méthodes: Des données par questionnaire ont été rassemblées sur 3271 écoliers habitant dans trois provinces du sud de la Pologne, nés entre 1981 et 1984. L’âge aux premières règles a été estimé par la méthode de mémorisation. Des analyses de régression multiple et de covariance (ANCOVA) ont été effectuées afin d’évaluer la signification statistique des différences entre groupes.

Résultats: Les filles de familles à statut socio-économique élevé sont plus précoces que celles de statut socio-économique défavorable, mais suivant la région et la dimension de la population, d’autres facteurs influencent l’âge aux premières règles. Dans la province de Cracovie, l’urbanisation, l’éducation du père et le nombre d’enfants dans la famille jouent un rôle significatif. Dans la province d’Opole, ce sont l’urbanisation, l’éducation du père et le nombre d’enfants dans la famille qui interviennent, alors que dans la province de Nowi Sacz, est significatif le nombre d’enfants dans la famille.

Conclusions: Les différences socio-économiques sont plus significatives dans une grande ville (Cracovie), alors que dans les ensembles populationnels plus restreints (Opole, Nowy Sacz), elles sont de moindre importance. Par ailleurs, la variation entre régions révèle un âge aux premières règles plus précoce chez les filles urbaines que chez les rurales.

Zusammenfassung. Hintergrund: Das Menarchealter ist das wichtigste Maß für die sexuelle Reife bei Mädchen und ein empfindlicher Indikator für Umweltbedingungen während der Kindheit.

Ziel: Die Studie analysierte die Beziehung zwischen Menarchealter und sozio-ökonomischen Kennzeichen (Urbanisation, Populationsgröße, Schulbildung der Eltern und Anzahl der Kinder pro Familie).

Probanden und Methoden: Mittels Fragebögen wurden Daten von 3271 Schülerinnen, geboren zwischen 1981 und 1984, aus drei Provinzen Südpolens erhoben. Das Menarchealter wurde retrospektiv erfragt und basiert auf Angaben zur Menarche von den Studienteilnehmerinnen. Es wurden ANCOVA und multiple Regressionsanalysen verwendet, um Unterschiede zwischen den Gruppen auf statistische Signifikanz zu testen.

Ergebnisse: Mädchen aus Familien der oberen sozio-ökonomischen Schicht menstruieren früher als Mädchen aus Familien niederer sozio-ökonomischer Schichten. Je nach geographischer Region und Populationsgröße gibt es jedoch noch weitere Faktoren, die das Menarchealter beeinflussten. Faktoren, die in der Provinz Krakau signifikanten Einfluss auf das Menarchealter zeigen, sind Urbanisationsgrad, Schulbildung des Vaters und Anzahl der Kinder in der Familie; in der Provinz Oppeln beinhalten diese Faktoren den Urbanisationsgrad und die Anzahl der Kinder in der Familie, während in der Provinz Novy Sacz nur die Anzahl der Kinder in der Familie Signifikanzniveau erreichen.

Zusammenfassung: Sozio-ökonomische Unterschiede sind in einer Großstadt (Krakau) größer und nehmen Einfluss auf die Variation des Menarchealters. In den weniger umfangreichen Populationen (Oppeln, Novy Sacz) aus kleineren Städten und Dörfern ist dagegen der Unterschied im Menarchealter weniger offensichtlich. Darüber hinaus zeigt die Variation zwischen Regionen, dass das Menarchealter in städtischen Gegenden niedriger ist als in ländlichen.

Resumen. Antecedentes: La edad de menarquia es la medida más importante de la maduración sexual en chicas y un sensible indicador de las condiciones ambientales durante la infancia.

Objetivo: El estudio analizó la asociación entre la edad de menarquia y características socioeconómicas (urbanización, tamaño poblacional, educación de los padres y número de hijos en la familia).

Sujetos y métodos: Los datos del cuestionario se recogieron en 3271 niñas escolares nacidas entre 1981 y 1984, que residían en tres provincias del sur de Polonia. La edad de menarquia se estimó por el método retrospectivo y se basó en la fecha de menarquia proporcionada por las participantes en el estudio. Se aplicaron los análisis ANCOVA y de regresión múltiple para comprobar la significación estadística de las diferencias entre grupos.

Resultados: Las chicas de familias con un nivel socioeconómico elevado experimentan la menarquia a una edad más temprana que las de familias con un nivel socioeconómico bajo. Sin embargo, dependiendo de la región geográfica y del tamaño poblacional, existen otros factores que influyen sobre la edad de menarquia. En la provincia de Cracovia, los factores que producen diferencias significativas en la edad de menarquia son la urbanización, la educación del padre y el número de hijos en la familia; en la provincia de Opole, estos factores incluyen la urbanización y el número de hijos de la familia, mientras que en la provincia de Nowy Sacz, es significativo el número de hijos por familia.

Conclusiones: Las diferencias socioeconómicas son mayores en una gran urbe (Cracovia) y afectan a la variación en la edad de menarquia. Sin embargo, dentro de poblaciones más pequeñas (Opole, Nowy Sacz), viviendo en pueblos y aldeas, la diferencia en la edad de menarquia es menos evidente. Además, la variación entre áreas revela una menor edad de menarquia en el medio urbano comparado con las áreas no urbanas.     

Genetic diversity of porcine sapoviruses, kobuviruses, and astroviruses in asymptomatic pigs: an emerging new sapovirus GIII genotype

Small, non-enveloped RNA viruses belonging to the genera Sapovirus, Kobuvirus, and Mamastrovirus are usually associated with gastroenteritis in humans and animals. These enteric pathogens are considered potential zoonotic agents. In this study, the prevalence and genetic diversity of sapoviruses (SaVs), kobuviruses (KoVs), and astroviruses (AstVs) in asymptomatic pigs were investigated using a PCR approach. KoV was found to be the most prevalent virus (87.3 %), followed by AstV (34.2 %) and SaV (10.2 %). Interestingly, the intra- and inter-cluster distances between porcine SaV capsid sequences revealed one strain (P38/11/CZ) that formed a new genotype within genogroup III of porcine SaVs, and it is tentatively called “P38/11-like” genotype. Moreover, this is the first report of porcine kobuvirus detection on Czech pig farms. The high prevalence rate of gastroenteritis-producing viruses in clinically healthy pigs represents a continuous source of infection of pigs, and possibly to humans.     

A familial case of alveolar capillary dysplasia with misalignment of pulmonary veins supports paternal imprinting of FOXF1 in human

Alveolar capillary dysplasia with misalignment of pulmonary veins (ACD/MPV) is a rare developmental lung disorder that is uniformly lethal. Affected infants die within the first few weeks of their life despite aggressive treatment, although a few cases of late manifestation and longer survival have been reported. We have shown previously that mutations and deletions in FOXF1 are a cause of this disorder. Although most of the cases of ACD/MPV are sporadic, there have been infrequent reports of familial cases. We present a family with five out of six children affected with ACD/MPV. DNA analysis identified a missense mutation (c.416G>T; p.Arg139Leu) in the FOXF1 gene that segregated in the three affected siblings tested. The same variant is also present as a de novo mutation in the mother and arose on her paternally derived chromosome 16. The two tested affected siblings share the same chromosome 16 haplotype inherited from their maternal grandfather. Their single healthy sibling has a different chromosome 16 haplotype inherited from the maternal grandmother. The results are consistent with paternal imprinting of FOXF1 in human.     

Atrioventricular canal defect in patients with RASopathies

Congenital heart defects affect 60-85% of patients with RASopathies. We analysed the clinical and molecular characteristics of atrioventricular canal defect in patients with mutations affecting genes coding for proteins with role in the RAS/MAPK pathway. Between 2002 and 2011, 101 patients with cardiac defect and a molecularly confirmed RASopathy were collected. Congenital heart defects within the spectrum of complete or partial (including cleft mitral valve) atrioventricular canal defect were diagnosed in 8/101 (8%) patients, including seven with a PTPN11 gene mutation, and one single subject with a RAF1 gene mutation. The only recurrent mutation was the missense PTPN11 c.124 A>G change (T42A) in PTPN11. Partial atrioventricular canal defect was found in six cases, complete in one, cleft mitral valve in one. In four subjects the defect was associated with other cardiac defects, including subvalvular aortic stenosis, mitral valve anomaly, pulmonary valve stenosis and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Maternal segregation of PTPN11 and RAF1 gene mutations occurred in two and one patients, respectively. Congenital heart defects in the affected relatives were discordant in the families with PTPN11 mutations, and concordant in that with RAF1 mutation. In conclusion, our data confirm previous reports indicating that atrioventricular canal defect represents a relatively common feature in Noonan syndrome. Among RASopathies, atrioventricular canal defect was observed to occur with higher prevalence among subjects with PTPN11 mutations, even though this association was not significant possibly because of low statistical power. Familial segregation of atrioventricular canal defect should be considered in the genetic counselling of families with RASopathies.     

Ischemic preconditioning inhibits development of edematous cerulein-induced pancreatitis： Involvement of cyclooxygenases and heat shock protein 70

AIM: To determine whether ischemic preconditioning (IP) affects the development of edematous cerulein-induced pancreatitis and to assess the role of cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1), COX-2, and heat shock protein 70 (HSP 70) in this process, METHODS: In male Wistar rats, IP was performed by clamping of celiac artery (twice for 5 min at 5-min intervals). Thirty minutes after IP or sham operation, acute pancreatitis was induced by cerulein. Activity of COX-1 or COX-2 was inhibited by resveratrol or rofecoxib, respectively (10 mg/kg). RESULTS: IP significantly reduced pancreatic damage in cerulein-induced pancreatitis as demonstrated by the improvement of pancreas histology, reduction in serum lipase and poly-C ribonuclease activity, and serum concentration of pro-inflammatory interleukin (IL)-lp. Also, IP attenuated the pancreatitis-evoked fall in pancreatic blood flow and pancreatic DNA synthesis. Serum level of anti-inflammatory IL-10 was not affected by IP. Cerulein-induced pancreatitis and IP increased the content of HSP 70 in the pancreas. Maximal increase in HSP 70 was observed when IP was combined with cerulein-induced pancreatitis. Inhibition of COXs, especially COX-2, reduced the protective effect of IP in edematous pancreatitis. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that IP reduces pancreatic damage in cerulein-induced pancreatitis and this effect, at least in part, depends on the activity of COXs and pancreatic production of HSP 70.     

Deletion of the α2A/α2C‐adrenoceptors accelerates cutaneous wound healing in mice

The α2‐adrenoceptors regulate the sympathetic nervous system, controlling presynaptic catecholamine release. However, the role of the α2‐adrenoceptors in cutaneous wound healing is poorly understood. Mice lacking both the α2A/α2C‐adrenoceptors were used to evaluate the participation of the α2‐adrenoceptor during cutaneous wound healing. A full‐thickness excisional lesion was performed on the dorsal skin of the α2A/α2C‐adrenoceptor knockout and wild‐type mice. Seven or fourteen days later, the animals were euthanized and the lesions were formalin‐fixed and paraffin‐embedded or frozen. Murine skin fibroblasts were also isolated from α2A/α2C‐adrenoceptor knockout and wild‐type mice, and fibroblast activity was evaluated. The in vivo study demonstrated that α2A/α2C‐adrenoceptor depletion accelerated wound contraction and re‐epithelialization. A reduction in the number of neutrophils and macrophages was observed in the α2A/α2C‐adrenoceptor knockout mice compared with wild‐type mice. In addition, α2A/α2C‐adrenoceptor depletion enhanced the levels of nitrite and hydroxyproline, and the protein expression of transforming growth factor‐β and vascular endothelial growth factor. Furthermore, α2A/α2C‐adrenoceptor depletion accelerated blood vessel formation and myofibroblast differentiation. The in vitro study demonstrated that skin fibroblasts isolated from α2A/α2C‐adrenoceptor knockout mice exhibited enhanced cell migration, α‐smooth muscle actin _protein expression and collagen deposition compared with wild‐type skin fibroblasts. In conclusion, α2A/α2C‐adrenoceptor deletion accelerates cutaneous wound healing in mice.     

Buccal cell FISH and blood PCR-Y detect high rates of X chromosomal mosaicism and Y chromosomal derivatives in patients with Turner syndrome

Turner syndrome (TS) is the result of (partial) X chromosome monosomy. In general, the diagnosis is based on karyotyping of 30 blood lymphocytes. This technique, however, does not rule out tissue mosaicism or low grade mosaicism in the blood. Because of the associated risk of gonadoblastoma, mosaicism is especially important in case this involves a Y chromosome. We investigated different approaches to improve the detection of mosaicisms in 162 adult women with TS (mean age 29.9 ± 10.3). Standard karyotyping identified 75 patients (46.3%) with a non-mosaic monosomy 45,X. Of these 75 patients, 63 underwent additional investigations including FISH on buccal cells with X- and Y-specific probes and PCR-Y on blood. FISH analysis of buccal cells revealed a mosaicism in 19 of the 63 patients (30.2%). In five patients the additional cell lines contained a (derivative) Y chromosome. With sensitive real-time PCR we confirmed the presence of this Y chromosome in blood in three of the five cases. Although Y chromosome material was established in ovarian tissue in two patients, no gonadoblastoma was found. Our results confirm the notion that TS patients with 45,X on conventional karyotyping often have tissue specific mosaicisms, some of which include a Y chromosome. Although further investigations are needed to estimate the risk of gonadoblastoma in patients with Y chromosome material in buccal cells, we conclude that FISH or real-time PCR on buccal cells should be considered in TS patients with 45,X on standard karyotyping.     

EphB4 enhances the process of endochondral ossification and inhibits remodeling during bone fracture repair

Previous reports have identified a role for the tyrosine kinase receptor EphB4 and its ligand, ephrinB2, as potential mediators of both bone formation by osteoblasts and bone resorption by osteoclasts. In the present study, we examined the role of EphB4 during bone repair after traumatic injury. We performed femoral fractures with internal fixation in transgenic mice that overexpress EphB4 under the collagen type 1 promoter (Col1‐EphB4) and investigated the bone repair process up to 12 weeks postfracture. The data indicated that Col1‐EphB4 mice exhibited stiffer and stronger bones after fracture compared with wild‐type mice. The fractured bones of Col1‐EphB4 transgenic mice displayed significantly greater tissue and bone volume 2 weeks postfracture compared with that of wild‐type mice. These findings correlated with increased chondrogenesis and mineral formation within the callus site at 2 weeks postfracture, as demonstrated by increased safranin O and von Kossa staining, respectively. Interestingly, Col1‐EphB4 mice were found to possess significantly greater numbers of clonogenic mesenchymal stromal progenitor cells (CFU‐F), with an increased capacity to form mineralized nodules in vitro under osteogenic conditions, when compared with those of the wild‐type control mice. Furthermore, Col1‐EphB4 mice had significantly lower numbers of TRAP‐positive multinucleated osteoclasts within the callus site. Taken together, these observations suggest that EphB4 promotes endochondral ossification while inhibiting osteoclast development during callus formation and may represent a novel drug target for the repair of fractured bones. © 2013 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.