Hormone exposure and its suppressive effect on risk of high-grade gliomas among patients with breast cancer

BackgroundPrior reports demonstrate the expression of estrogen and progesterone receptors in high-grade gliomas (HGGs), but the relationship between hormone receptor-positive disease and risk of HHGs in patients with breast cancer (BC) remains uncharacterized.MethodsUsing the SEER 18 registries (2000–2017), we examined the temporal trend of the incidence of HGGs and BC. The standardized incidence ratio was calculated to assess the risk of subsequent HGG in BC patients.ResultsDuring the study period, the incidence of BC and HGGs remained comparable for men and women. Among 976,134 patients with BC, we found a decreased incidence of HGGs in females, but not in males. Female BC patients with hormone receptor-positive disease were at a lower risk of developing glioblastoma and anaplastic astrocytoma.ConclusionOur study findings allude to the protective role of hormone exposure in the development of HGGs, which may lead to the development of therapies targeting hormonal pathways.     

Status of vaccine research and development of vaccines for herpes simplex virus

Herpes simplex virus type-1 (HSV-1) and -2 (HSV-2) are highly prevalent global pathogens which commonly cause recurrent oral and genital ulcerations. Less common but more serious complications include meningitis, encephalitis, neonatal infection, and keratitis. HSV-2 infection is a significant driver of the HIV epidemic, increasing the risk of HIV acquisition 3 fold. As current control strategies for genital HSV-2 infection, including antiviral therapy and condom use, are only partially effective, vaccines will be required to reduce infection. Both preventive and therapeutic vaccines for HSV-2 are being pursued and are in various stages of development. We will provide an overview of efforts to develop HSV-2 vaccines, including a discussion of the clinical need for an HSV vaccine, and status of research and development with an emphasis on recent insights from trials of vaccine candidates in clinical testing. In addition, we will touch upon aspects of HSV vaccine development relevant to low and middle income countries.     

Male genital vitiligo

Vitiligo is a polygenetic multifactorial disease leading to melanocytic loss in skin and sometimes in hair. Genital areas may be involved and represent a specific therapeutic challenge. Surprisingly, data on male genital vitiligo remain scarce. This review aims to collate current knowledge on male genital vitiligo and to discuss the risks and benefits of the various therapeutic approaches. Male genital vitiligo is relatively frequent and often induces marked impairment of quality of life, with a specific impact on sex life. Prompt recognition of activity remains mandatory to halt disease progression, as repigmentation remains difficult to achieve in most cases. Thanks to progress in understanding of the pathophysiology of vitiligo, new therapeutic approaches are under development. Topical ruxolitinib, a JAK pathway inhibitor, is currently the product in the most advanced stage of development, with a very encouraging repigmentation rate on the face, although specific efficacy in genital area remains to be assessed. The next generation of treatments, such as topical WNT agonists, could be of great interest in genital vitiligo as they will not require combination with UV therapy and they may be able to enhance the differentiation and proliferation of melanocyte stem cells in this difficult-to-treat area.     

Effect of a Condom Cover on Vaginal Photoplethysmographic Responses

IntroductionThe vaginal photoplethysmograph (VPP) is a reusable intravaginal device often employed in sexual psychophysiology studies to assess changes in vaginal blood flow, an indicator of sexual arousal.AimTo test whether placing a disposable cover on the VPP probe impacts the acquired data. A condom cover would reduce risk of disease transmission and likely increase participant comfort but may negatively impact the VPP signal.MethodThe genital responses of 25 cisgender women (mean age = 21.3 years, standard deviation = 2.6) were assessed with VPP in a within-subjects design with 2 conditions—with and without a polyisoprene condom cover. Sexual responses were elicited by audiovisual film clips that varied in erotic intensity: nonsexual (nonsexual male-female interaction), low-intensity sexual (nude exercise), and high-intensity sexual (male-female intercourse). Women continuously rated their sexual arousal during stimulus presentations.Main Outcome MeasureChange in vaginal pulse amplitude and also self-reported sexual arousal.ResultsThe magnitude of sexual response to each stimulus category and the overall pattern of results were found to be highly similar in the cover-off and cover-on conditions. The high-intensity sexual stimulus category elicited a greater sexual response than all other categories. The low-intensity sexual category elicited a (small) genital response in only the cover-on condition, although we suspect this is a spurious finding. There was no difference in the average number of edited movement artifacts across conditions.Clinical ImplicationsPotential benefits of encasing the VPP probe with a protective cover include enhanced participant safety and comfort, especially if assessing genital responses of high-risk or immunocompromised samples. The use of a cover complies with current guidelines for reprocessing semi-critical medical devices (eg, vaginal ultrasound probes) in many regions.Strengths & LimitationsAlthough the idea of a VPP probe cover had been discussed among sexual psychophysiology researchers, this is the first study to empirically test whether a cover could jeopardize VPP data. Potential limitations include the use of a 10-Hz VPP sampling rate and a cover that was not tailored to the size of the VPP probe.ConclusionPlacing a protective cover on the VPP probe did not appear to meaningfully impact sexual arousal or the VPP data. Based on these results and the potential advantages of a protective cover, researchers may wish to integrate the use a condom cover in their experiment protocols and clinical applications.Sawatsky ML, Lalumière ML. Effect of a Condom Cover on Vaginal Photoplethysmographic Responses. J Sex Med 2020; 17:702–715.     

关于抑制素的回顾与展望

1923年,随着生殖腺反馈调节垂体功能的概念的提出,关于抑制素的研究开始了。抑制素是一种非类固醇类物质,能够抑制垂体细胞的活性。1932年,这种物质在水状的睾丸提取物中得到证实,并被命名为抑制素。又经过了50多年的研究,到1985年,抑制素才被纯化和克隆。而直到化验技术的进步使人和动物的循环浓度得以分析,抑制素的生理活性的揭示才得以完成。本文综述抑制素的历史、生理作用及其在辅助生殖技术中的最新的应用和研究。     

Long-term effect of estradiol implants on the female urinary tract during the climacteric

The incidence of lower urinary tract dysfunction increases during the climacteric, and there is embryological, biochemical and epidemiologic evidence to suggest that depleted estrogen status is at least partially responsible. Twelve climacteric women underwent full assessment before and 1 year after treatment with a 50 mg subcutaneous estradiol implant +5 mg norethisterone for 7 days per month. Assessment consisted of a symptoms questionnaire, midstream urine sample, uroflowmetry, videocystourethrography with pressure flow studies, and urethral pressure profilometry. Subjectively, only the symptom of nocturia significantly improved. There was no change in flow variables but there was a significant decrease in residual urine and the degree of bladder base descent. Cystometric capacity was slightly but significantly decreased, and two patients developed genuine stress incontinence whilst on treatment. Nonetheless, there was a significant improvement in urethral pressures at rest but not under stress. This effect was predominantly in the proximal urethra. These data do not support the contention that estrogen replacement therapy is beneficial for lower urinary tract dysfunction during the climacteric.     

类保幼激素对三带喙库蚊幼期发育的影响

本文报告用亚致死剂量的 S—31183(类保幼激素)处理三带喙库蚊幼虫对其发育影响的研究,结果表明处理后蛹期死亡率明显高于幼虫期,并且与剂量大小有关。S—31183处理幼虫并不影响幼虫的发育时间,但可使幼虫化蛹时蜕皮受阻与羽化受到一定的抑制。     

激素替代治疗对绝经后Ⅱ型糖尿病和高血压患者肾脏微血管病变的影响

目的 :探讨激素替代治疗对绝经后Ⅱ型糖尿病和高血压患者肾脏微血管病变的影响。方法 :36例患有Ⅱ型糖尿病和高血压的绝经后妇女随机分为治疗组和安慰剂组各 18例 ,采用双盲法予口服克龄蒙或安慰剂 1片 /日 ,共 4 5个周期 ,测量用药前后各参数值并进行比较及线性相关分析。结果 :治疗组用药前后 2 4小时尿蛋白定量由 ( 0 4 45± 0 0 36 )g降到 ( 0 36 1± 0 0 32 ) g(P <0 0 1) ,内生肌酐清除率由 ( 92 0± 5 2 )ml/min增到 ( 99 1± 4 8)ml/min (P <0 0 5) ,空腹血糖由 ( 7 0 2± 0 4 3)mmol/L降到 ( 6 55± 0 31)mmol/L(P <0 0 5) ,血清总胆固醇由 ( 6 6 6±0 2 8)mmol/L降到 ( 5 71± 0 71)mmol/L(P <0 0 1) ,血压无明显改变。 2 4小时尿蛋白定量和内生肌酐清除率与其他参数间无显著相关性。安慰剂组用药前后各项指标无明显改变。结论 :激素替代治疗对绝经后Ⅱ型糖尿病和高血压患者肾脏微血管病变有改善作用     

青海玉树健康人甲状腺激素测定

本文对玉树(海拔3700米)正常人58例的甲状腺激素用放射免疫法进行了测定,与西宁地区和平原地区对比,结果说明玉树地区T3、T4值明显或显著低于西宁和平原地区。TSH值又明显或显著高于西宁和平原地区、西宁地区P3、T4和TSH值均明显或显著低于平原。玉树地区藏、汉之间;男、女之间也有一定差异。这可能是高原低气压,缺氧对肝脏代谢的影响,调节甲状腺激素,以求机体对高原坏境的适应。