Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Female sexual dysfunction and adolescents

Purpose of review To review recent publications in the area of sexual dysfunction in females including the adolescent age group. Recent findings Though as many as 40% of adult females have a sexual dysfunction, the incidence among adolescent females is unknown. Though over half of adolescents are sexually active, sexual dysfunction is not a term universally accepted among the general public as well as researchers. Research on sexual dysfunction in females typically starts with age 18 years or over. Causes of sexual dysfunction include medical disorders, gynecological problems, which started from the adolescent age, psychiatric disorders, and complications of medications such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), antipsychotics, and others. Management includes identification of the specific sexual dysfunction and treatment of the underlying condition, including surgical treatment in such cases as absent vagina or obstetrics fistula. Psychological therapy is helpful when psychological factors are contributory to the dysfunction. Pharmacologic principles of management cases can, for example, include treatment of gynecological problems such as pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) or endometriosis as a cause of sexual dysfunction or include removal of the offending drug, use of glutamatergic strategies or trazodone in SSRI-association dysfunction, and addition of bupropion or other medications in select cases. No medication is FDA-approved for sexual dysfunction in females. Summary Sexual dysfunction in females includes lack of sexual desire, sexual pain disorders (as dyspareunia), anorgasmia, and sexual arousal dysfunction. Acceptance of the high incidence of sexual dysfunction in all female populations is necessary to appreciate this phenomenon in the adolescent cohort, because some gynecological disease can arise from the adolescent age and can cause sexual dysfunction. Some sexual dysfunctions require immediate treatment, including surgical in the case of congenital anomaly, ovarian cyst, or tumor. Current understanding is based on extrapolation of research in the adult population. Management principles include removal of offending drugs and treatment of underlying disorders. Research in the adolescent population is recommended for more understanding and acceptance of this phenomenon in this age group.
Treatment and Prevention of Elder Abuse and Neglect: Where Knowledge and Practice Meet—A Model for Intervention to Prevent and Treat Elder Abuse in Israel

Successful handling of elder abuse and neglect requires various interventions. This article presents findings from an evaluation study of a model for intervention implemented in three municipalities in Israel. Data from 558 older adults, exposed to abuse and treated through the program, and interviews with victims, abusers, and professionals revealed that improvement was achieved in 66% of the cases. In 20% of the cases, the abuse was stopped. The most widespread type of intervention consisted of individual counseling. Legal intervention yielded the highest rate of improvement (82%). Provision of supportive services for victims of neglect was found to be most effective (82% of improvement in the situation).
Aging in the Shadow of Violence: A Phenomenological Conceptual Framework for Understanding Elderly Women Who Experienced Lifelong IPV

This article suggests a heuristic framework for understanding elderly women’s “lived experience” of lifelong intimate partner violence (IPV). This framework is based on the phenomenological qualitative studies of 31 women, aged 60–83, using a semistructured interview guide. From the results, a matrix emerged built on two axes. The first axis consists of three phenomenological dimensions: suffering, a “ticking clock,” and life wisdom. The second axis consists of four themes that emerged from the content analysis: loneliness, regret, being in a state of waiting, and being a living monument to perpetual victimhood. The practical implications of these phenomenological findings are then discussed.
Maternal cardiac function in preeclampsia

Purpose of review Acute cardiovascular complications affect 6% of severe preeclampsia and epidemiological studies demonstrate a strong association between preeclampsia and subsequent cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. This data suggests that not only can preeclampsia acutely impair cardiac function, but also it has the potential to provoke myocardial ischaemia and affect long-term cardiovascular health. This review highlights the recent insights on cardiovascular impairment in preeclampsia and postpartum. Recent findings Recent studies on preeclampsia have used newer echocardiographic indices that are more sensitive at detecting asymptomatic myocardial damage, better correlated to invasive indices of myocardial function and are predictive for subsequent cardiovascular morbidity. Current findings indicate an unexpectedly high prevalence of cardiac impairment in preeclampsia and postpartum. These findings have important implications for the long-term cardiovascular health of women whose pregnancies were complicated by preeclampsia. Summary Preeclampsia is associated with stage B heart failure (asymptomatic left ventricular dysfunction/hypertrophy), a high prevalence of essential hypertension and an increased cardiovascular risk status within few years postpartum. These findings are more prevalent with early onset/preterm preeclampsia. These cardiovascular findings are consistent with epidemiological studies showing a ‘dose-dependent’ relationship between preeclampsia and long-term cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. There is increasing evidence supporting the concept that a history of early onset/preterm preeclampsia should be taken into account to identify women at high cardiovascular risk even in the absence of other concomitant risk factors.
Violence Against Older Women: Activism, Social Justice, and Social Change

The Older Women’s Network (OWN) of New South Wales (NSW) is an activist organization dedicated to promoting the rights of older women, preventing gender- and aged-based violence, and working toward social justice and social change. In 2007, the OWN NSW Inc. initiated the Prevention of Violence Against Older Women Working Party to research and document current knowledge and understanding of violence against older women; focus public attention on this issue; and bring about changes in public perceptions, policy, and practice. Presented here is an overview of the major achievements of the OWN Working Party, including a meta-analysis of three research projects, with their findings, recommendations, and outcomes. In conclusion, research conducted by activist organizations such as OWN can make a significant contribution to furthering our understanding of violence against older women and to policy and practice.
Talk to take: Multivitamin usage in college-aged women

Abstract The goal of this investigation was to explore different communication methods used to reach and convince women to adopt an important daily health routine that is, for lack of a better word, boring. The results of this effort will be used to aid campaign efforts designed to increase multivitamin consumption in college-aged women, thereby aiming to reduce the number of birth defects in children born to this population. College-aged women (n = 92) reported preferring interpersonal communication channels over media when seeking information and being persuaded by messages regarding multivitamins. Multivitamin users were compared with non-users regarding sources of information and compliance strategies. Promise and positive altercasting were the preferred compliance-gaining strategies. Paper implications suggest campaigns should target mothers rather than spending resources to directly persuade their college-aged daughters.
When to Think of Bronchiectasis and the Investigations to Perform

Bronchiectasis is defined as chronic and irreversible dilatation of one or more bronchi due to structural abnormality of the bronchial wall. There is usually chronic airway inflammation; and it is associated with chronic sputum production, recurrent infections, rhinosinusitis, and variable airflow obstruction.1,2 This article has been written to highlight symptoms and signs that may suggest a diagnosis of bronchiectasis, and as a guide when investigating such an adult patient. The treatment and management of bronchiectasis will not be discussed. This advice is based on current practice at the Royal Brompton Hospital and is evidence based. It includes data from a recent research publication.1 This review includes 240 patients referred to the Royal Brompton Hospital, who underwent a protocol of investigations for the suspected diagnosis of bronchiectasis.
Everyday Life in the Suburbs of Berlin: Consequences for the Social Participation of Aged Men and Women

Against the background of demographic change, mobility issues are becoming crucial. Especially for the elderly, daily outdoor activities are essential for participation in social life. This article addresses the question of what extent older people, especially women, are threatened by limited social participation in Berlin’s suburbia. The mobility of older women (70+) is characterized by the least number of trips, the shortest distances, and more than 50% walking trips. Besides, many older women are dissatisfied with their residential area. Given the lack of essential facilities, older women have to be considered as disadvantaged in terms of limited social participation.
Längere Verweildauer unter einer basalunterstützten oralen Therapie mit Insulin Glargin (BOT) im Vergleich zu einer Kombinationstherapie aus NPH-Insulin und oralen Antidiabetika

This study aimed to assess the persistence of basal supported oral treatment with insulin glargine (BOT) compared to standard combination therapy with NPH insulin and oral antidiabetic drugs in patients with type2 diabetes. This study used a representative German database (IMS ® Disease Analyzer). Patients with type2 diabetes who were taking oral hypoglycemic agents and who started basal insulin therapy with glargine or NPH insulin between 1/2003 and 8/2006 were included. The documentation period lasted be-tween 12 and 57months. Persistence was measured as the time until regular human insulin or rapid-acting insulin analogs were added to basal insulin therapy. The study included a total of 1242patients with type2 diabetes. Among those, 896patients started with glargine and 346 patients with NPH insulin. The persistence was 764days on BOT and 654 on combination therapy with NPH (p<0.001). The hazard ratio of adding regular human insulin or rapid-acting analogs for glargine vs. NPH insulin was 0.59 (95% CI: 0.40 – 0.79, p=0.0005). The HbA1c-values within the time frame of 183 – 913days after starting the insulin therapy were comparable in both groups (7.56±1.24% vs. 7.55±1.20%, p=0.80). With comparable metabolic control patients with type2 diabetes stay longer on their initial therapy with
A mixed-methods investigation of successful aging among older women engaged in sports-based versus exercise-based leisure time physical activities

ABSTRACT This mixed-methods study compares active older women in different physically based leisure activities and explores the difference in subjective ratings of successful aging and quantifiable predictors of success. A survey was administered to 256 women, 60–92 years of age, engaged in a sports- or exercise-based activity. Quantitative data were analyzed through ANOVA and multiple regression. Qualitative data (n = 79) was analyzed using the approach associated with means-end theory. While participants quantitatively appeared similar in terms of successful aging, qualitative interviews revealed differences in activity motivation. Women involved in sports highlighted social/psychological benefits, while those involved in exercise-based activities stressed fitness outcomes.
Randomized controlled trial of whole soy and isoflavone daidzein on menopausal symptoms in equol-producing Chinese postmenopausal women

ObjectiveDietary supplements containing soy or isoflavones are widely used as alternatives to hormone therapy. However, their efficacy is still inconclusive, and limited data on equol producers are available. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of whole soy (soy flour) or purified daidzein (one major soy isoflavone and the precursor of equol) on menopausal symptoms in equol-producing postmenopausal women, a population most likely to benefit from soy intervention. MethodsThis is a 6-month parallel-group, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Two hundred seventy equol-producing prehypertensive Chinese postmenopausal women were randomized to one of three treatment groups: 40 g of soy flour (whole soy group), 40 g of low-fat milk powder + 63 mg of daidzein (daidzein group), or 40 g of low-fat milk powder (placebo group) daily, each given as a solid beverage for 6 months. Changes in menopausal symptoms were assessed by a validated and structured symptom checklist at baseline and 6 months. ResultsTwo hundred fifty-three participants completed the study according to protocol. Urinary isoflavones indicated good compliance with the interventions. Baseline menopausal symptoms were comparable among the three study groups. Intention-to-treat analysis indicated that there was no significant difference in the 6-month changes or percent changes in the total number of menopausal symptoms, in the five dimensions of symptoms, and in the frequencies of individual symptoms among the three treatment groups. ConclusionsWhole soy and purified daidzein have no significant effect on alleviation of menopausal symptoms among equol-producing postmenopausal women with prehypertension.
Children Born Small for Gestational Age (SGA): A New Frontier for GH Therapy

A 9 member independent panel of endocrinologists and pediatricians was convened to discuss basic issues with respect to definition, diagnosis, and clinical management of children born small for gestational age (SGA). SGA is defined as the situation when birth weight and/or length are at least 2 standard deviations (SD-s) below the mean for gestational age (<2 SD). The seven consensus guidelines agreed by the panel members are as follows: i. Children born SGA have a serious and permanent handicap of growth in adulthood if not treated. ii. Any term newborn lighter than 2500 g (male) or 2000 g (female) may be considered SGA. iii. When 4 years of age, all children born SGA will be evaluated for height, height velocity, bone age. Preterm children and multiplets should be included even if they were AGA. All children having concomitantly a SD score of < -2.5, a HVSD score < -1 and a bone age (Greulich-Pyle) smaller or equal to the chronological age are to be considered candidates to GH therapy. iv. All recognizable short stature syndromes must be extracted from the contingent of SGA by clinical and laboratory thorough evaluation and subjected to their distinctive growth disturbance protocol. v. The rest of candidates will receive GH therapy at 0.35 mg/kg/week daily dosage. A biochemical screening including hormonal and IGF I determinations and also hematology should be performed before administering the first injection. GH dynamic tests are not recommended as a rule. vi. Effectiveness of the therapy will be appreciated after 6-12 months of uninterrupted therapy. Annualized growth rates higher than 7 cm/yr are considered proofs in favor of successful therapy. IGF I levels higher than 600 ng/ml should be avoided. vii. After the inclusion in therapy and the first evaluation, the patients follow-up should align to the standard provisions of the national or regional programs of GH therapy.
Does improved exposure information for PM2.5 constituents explain differing results among epidemiological studies?

Contrary findings are often found among epidemiological studies examining associations of different types of airborne particulates against the same health endpoints. Some studies of heart rate variability (HRV) in humans find associations with either regional particulate material 2.5 microns or smaller (PM2.5) and/or with “sulfate” while some do not; some find associations with more local emissions such as black carbon (BC), while others do not. We explore if there might there be a consistent methodological explanation for inconsistent findings among HRV studies. To do this, we identify studies of HRV changes in humans examining associations with ambient PM2.5 and sulfate, ambient PM2.5 and BC, or all three; we briefly review findings and methodologies, including exposure issues; then we explore why studies may come to different conclusions. We tentatively conclude that differences in accuracy of subject exposure information for health-relevant emissions such as BC, which vary spatially over short distances in urban areas, may explain conflicting study results. HRV studies with accurate exposure information for BC or urban/industrial PM2.5 generally find large, significant associations with BC or urban/industrial PM2.5, but rarely with secondary sulfate or regional emissions generally. However, absent accurate exposure information for BC, studies appear more likely to find associations with less spatially variable secondary sulfate or PM2.5, and less likely to find strong associations with BC. However, research on this subject is limited, as are the number of studies evaluated here. Added research is necessary to confirm these findings (or otherwise), and to explore whether exposure misclassification might cause other health effects results to consistently vary.
Antioxidant responses to acute ozone challenge in the healthy human airway

The aim of the study was to characterize ozone-induced antioxidant responses in the human airway, including the resident leukocyte population, bronchial mucosa, and respiratory-tract lining fluids. Fifteen healthy subjects were exposed to 0.2 ppm ozone for 2 h, with bronchial wash, bronchoalveolar lavage, and biopsy sampling performed 6 h postexposure. Nasal lavage was also performed at multiple time points pre- and postexposure to evaluate responses during the actual exposure period. During the ozone challenge significant losses of nasal lining fluid urate and vitamin C were observed, which resolved 6 h postexposure. At this time point, increased numbers of neutrophils and enhanced concentrations of total glutathione, vitamin C, and urate were seen in bronchial airway lavages. In bronchoalveolar lavage, increased concentrations of total glutathione, vitamin C, urate, α-tocopherol, and extracellular superoxide dismutase occurred 6 h post ozone. In alveolar leukocytes significant losses of glutathione were observed, whereas ascorbate concentrations in endobronchial mucosal biopsies were elevated after ozone at this time. These data demonstrate that ozone elicits a broad spectrum of airway antioxidant responses, with initial losses of vitamin C and urate followed by a phase of augmentation of low-molecular-weight antioxidant concentrations at the air–lung interface. The temporal association between the increased RTLF glutathione following ozone and the loss of this thiol from macrophages implies a mobilization to the lung surface, despite the absence of a quantitative association. We propose this constitutes an acute protective adaptation to ozone.
Behavioral weight loss for the management of menopausal hot flashes: a pilot study

ObjectiveAlthough adiposity has been considered to be protective against hot flashes, newer data suggest positive relationships between hot flashes and adiposity. No studies have been specifically designed to test whether weight loss reduces hot flashes. This pilot study aimed to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and initial efficacy of behavioral weight loss in reducing hot flashes. MethodsForty overweight or obese women with hot flashes (≥4 hot flashes/d) were randomized to either behavioral weight loss intervention or wait-list control. Hot flashes were assessed before and after intervention via physiologic monitoring, diary, and questionnaire. Comparisons of changes in hot flashes and anthropometrics between conditions were performed via Wilcoxon tests. ResultsStudy retention (83%) and intervention satisfaction (93.8%) were high. Most women (74.1%) reported that hot flash reduction was a major motivator for losing weight. Women randomized to the weight loss intervention lost more weight (−8.86 kg) than did women randomized to control (+0.23 kg; P < 0.0001). Women randomized to weight loss also showed greater reductions in questionnaire-reported hot flashes (2-wk hot flashes, −63.0) than did women in the control group (−28.0; P = 0.03)—a difference not demonstrated in other hot flash measures. Reductions in weight and hot flashes were significantly correlated (eg, r = 0.47, P = 0.006). ConclusionsThis pilot study shows a behavioral weight loss program that is feasible, acceptable, and effective in producing weight loss among overweight or obese women with hot flashes. Findings indicate the importance of a larger study designed to test behavioral weight loss for hot flash reduction. Hot flash management could motivate women to engage in this health-promoting behavior.
Carbon black and titanium dioxide nanoparticles induce pro-inflammatory responses in bronchial epithelial cells: Need for multiparametric evaluation due to adsorption artifacts

The initiation of an inflammatory process is the main adverse effect observed following the exposure of the airway epithelium to nanoparticles (NPs). This study was designed to explore the pro-inflammatory potential of two different NPs of similar size but of different compositions (CB 13 nm and TiO2 15 nm) on a human bronchial epithelial cell line (16HBE14o-). The expression of granulocyte–macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), interleukin (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) was evaluated in terms of mRNA, intracellular proteins, and released cytokines. Exposure to NPs induced a dose-dependent expression of all these cytokines, depending upon the chemical composition of NPs. The released cytokines appeared to be an inaccurate methodology to evaluate the pro-inflammatory response. Indeed, NPs adsorbed cytokines, and the binding was dependent on the nature of both the cytokine and NPs. Furthermore, addition of fetal calf serum or bovine serum albumin improved the detection of cytokines but also reduced cellular responses. Use of different detergents (Tween, Triton, and NP40) demonstrated limited efficiency to desorb cytokines from NPs. Thus, this study demonstrated the pro-inflammatory potential for CB and TiO2 NP but underlines the methodological artifacts faced during the in vitro evaluation of cytokine release that necessitates a multiparametric evaluation.