Substance p immunoreactivity exhibits frequent colocalization with kisspeptin and neurokinin B in the human infundibular region.

Neurons synthesizing neurokinin B (NKB) and kisspeptin (KP) in the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus represent important upstream regulators of pulsatile gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) neurosecretion. In search of neuropeptides co-expressed in analogous neurons of the human infundibular nucleus (Inf), we have carried out immunohistochemical studies of the tachykinin peptide Substance P (SP) in autopsy samples from men (21-78 years) and postmenopausal (53-83 years) women. Significantly higher numbers of SP-immunoreactive (IR) neurons and darker labeling were observed in the Inf of postmenopausal women than in age-matched men. Triple-immunofluorescent studies localized SP immunoreactivity to considerable subsets of KP-IR and NKB-IR axons and perikarya in the infundibular region. In postmenopausal women, 25.1% of NKB-IR and 30.6% of KP-IR perikarya contained SP and 16.5% of all immunolabeled cell bodies were triple-labeled. Triple-, double- and single-labeled SP-IR axons innervated densely the portal capillaries of the infundibular stalk. In quadruple-labeled sections, these axons formed occasional contacts with GnRH-IR axons. Presence of SP in NKB and KP neurons increases the functional complexity of the putative pulse generator network. First, it is possible that SP modulates the effects of KP and NKB in axo-somatic and axo-dendritic afferents to GnRH neurons. Intrinsic SP may also affect the activity and/or neuropeptide release of NKB and KP neurons via autocrine/paracrine actions. In the infundibular stalk, SP may influence the KP and NKB secretory output via additional autocrine/paracrine mechanisms or regulate GnRH neurosecretion directly. Finally, possible co-release of SP with KP and NKB into the portal circulation could underlie further actions on adenohypophysial gonadotrophs

The Glass Door: Early-Career Women in Collegiate Athletics

“The Glass Door: Early-Career Women in Collegiate Athletics” is chapter 12 in a two-volume collection entitled Women in Sports: Breaking Barriers, Facing Obstacles which addresses women’s sports involvement in contemporary society with a focus on issues of equity that women currently face.Covering a breadth of topics surrounding the current state of women in sports, the set taps current events, sociological and feminist theory, and recent research to contextualize women's experiences in sports within a patriarchal society and highlight areas for improvement.The second volume of this collection focuses on general social trends for women in sports. Chapter 12, the final chapter of volume two, focuses specifically on challenges that women face in legitimizing their place in sports by reducing emphasis on their appearance and gaining decision-making power. In this chapter, Dr. Jessica Siegele et al. examine the experiences of early-career women in working in collegiate athletics to gain an understanding of the obstacles women face in nonathletic roles in sports organizations

Adiponectin, in contrast to leptin, is not associated with body mass index, waist circumference and HOMA-IR in subjects of a west-African population

Factors associated with plasma levels of adiponectin and leptin were studied in adult subjects without diabetes from Cotonou in Benin (West‐Africa). Seventy (70) men and 45 women were included in the study. Anthropometric variables were measured and a venous blood sample was drawn from each subject, after an overnight fasting period, for measurement of plasma glucose, insulin, leptin, and adiponectin levels. HOMA‐IR was determined to assess insulin resistance. Adiponectin and leptin levels were higher in women than in men (with adiponectin 18.48 ± 12.77 vs.7.8 ± 10.39 μg/mL, P < 0.0001, and leptin 30.77 ± 19.16 vs. 8.66 ± 8.24 ng/mL, P < 0.0001). Fasting insulin level and HOMA‐IR were also higher in the females. Hyperleptinemia was observed in 66,96% of subjects and hypoadiponectinemia was present in 44.35% of subjects. In both men and women, leptin correlated with age (r = 0.2; P = 0.02), BMI (r = 0.572; P < 0.0001), waist circumference (r = 0.534; P < 0.0001), fasting insulin (r = 0.461; P < 0.001), and HOMA‐IR (r = 0.430; P < 0.0001). No significant correlation was observed for adiponectin levels with these variables. Only in women, adiponectin was inversely correlated with fasting glucose (r = −0.423; P < 0.004). These data confirm previous descriptions of leptin but suggest that variations in factors determining serum adiponectin levels observed between ethnicities could also been seen between populations from the same ethnicity

The decline in muscle strength and muscle quality in relation to metabolic derangements in adult women with obesity

Background & aims: The metabolic and functional characteristics related to sarcopenic obesity have not been thoroughly explored in the earlier stages of the aging process. The aim of the present study was to examine the phenotype of sarcopenic obesity, in terms of lean body mass, muscle strength and quality, in adult women with and without the Metabolic Syndrome (MetS), and its relationship with the features of myosteatosis. Methods: Study participants were enrolled at the Sapienza University, Rome, Italy. Body composition was assessed by DXA. The Handgrip strength test (HGST) was performed. HGST was normalized to arm lean mass to indicate muscle quality; intermuscular adipose tissue (IMAT) and intramyocellular lipid content (IMCL) were measured by magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy, as indicators of myosteatosis. Different indices of sarcopenia were calculated, based on appendicular lean mass (ALM, kg) divided by height squared, or weight. The NCEP-ATPIII criteria were used to diagnose the MetS. HOMA-IR was calculated. The physical activity level (PAL) was assessed through the IPAQ questionnaire. Results: 54 women (age: 48 ± 14 years, BMI: 37.9 ± 5.4 kg/m 2 ) were included. 54% had the MetS (metabolically unhealthy, MUO). HGST/arm lean mass was lower in MUO women than women without the MetS (6.3 ± 1.8 vs. 7.8 ± 1.6, p = 0.03). No differences emerged in terms of absolute ALM (kg) or other indices of sarcopenia (ALM/h 2 or ALM/weight) between metabolically healthy (MHO) vs. MUO women (p > 0.05). Muscle quality was negatively associated with HOMA-IR (p = 0.02), after adjustment for age, body fat, hs-CRP levels, and PAL. IMAT, but not IMCL, was significantly higher in obese women with the MetS compared to women without the MetS (p > 0.05). No association emerged between HGST/arm lean mass and IMAT or IMCL when HOMA-IR was included in the models. Conclusion: Insulin resistance, and not sarcopenia or myosteatosis per se, was associated with muscle weakness, resulting in the phenotype of “dynapenic obesity” in middle-aged women with the metabolic syndrome

Lipid accumulation product as a predictor of insulin resistance in Indian women with polycystic ovary syndrome-a cross sectional study

Background: Polycystic ovary disease is the most common endocrine disorder among women of reproductive age group with a prevalence of around 6-18%. Asian population with PCOS are at a higher risk for insulin resistance and type-2 diabetes mellitus. Early screening and detection of insulin resistance can prevent future metabolic co-morbidities. Lipid accumulation product (LAP) is a new emerging index can identify insulin resistance and metabolic abnormalities among these women. Methods: PCOS was diagnosed using Rotterdam criteria. Anthropometric measurements, biochemical parameters, insulin resistance (IR) and LAP were calculated. LAP was defined as [WC (cm) – 58] × TG (mmol/l). IR was defined using homeostatic model assessment-IR (HOMA-IR) and A cut off value >3.8 defined IR. LAP, BMI, waist circumference (WC) and waist-hip ratio (WHR) were compared using two-tailed spearman rank correlation test and analysing the receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curves. Results: Among these women, the mean, IR and LAP were 3.56±2.17 and 39.58±24.82. 54% women had BMI>25 kg/m2. 43% PCOS women were insulin resistant (IR>3.8). Mean LAP values were significantly higher in cases than controls. 41% PCOS women had LAP value higher than cut off. (LAP>34.5). A strong positive and significant correlation was obtained between IR and LAP (rho=0.67, p<0.001) and was higher than the other parameters. Also, ROC curve analysis revealed, LAP had the maximum area under the curve (AUC). Conclusions: LAP, an easily obtainable index, is an effective marker of insulin resistance and can be used to detect insulin resistance in PCOS as higher LAP values were observed in women with PCOS compared to controls

The Life of Elvia Alvarado as the Voice of the Voiceless Women in Honduran Culture

Honduras is a complex region with ideas and traditions passed down from previous generations, and the main purpose of this study is to present the life of Elvia Alvarado, and show that she is the voice of the voiceless in Honduras. Moreover, her life will be used to show that men marginalize women. In addition, it will demonstrate that machismo culture influences Honduran society, and thusly affects the literature, and as a result, women authors express their frustration with machismo culture in Honduras passed down by previous generation