The relationship between serum vitamin D level and premenstrual syndrome in Iranian women

Background: Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is among the most unfavorable problems in women in reproductive age; however its pathophysiology is still not fully confirmed. Vitamin D as an immunomodulator could prevent inflammatory state before and during menstruation. Objective: The aim was to investigate whether there is any relationship between serum vitamin D levels and PMS. Materials and Methods: In total, 82 women participate in this case-control study which was conducted in Shahid Akbar-abadi hospital from November 2013 to March 2015. Categorization was based on an Iranian version of the premenstrual symptoms screening tool (PSST). Levels of 25 hydroxy-vitamin D3 (25OHD) were determined by using 25-OH Vitamin D ELISA kit in luteal phase. Characteristics of participants and vitamin D levels were compared between two groups by using independent sample t-test. Results: Menarche age of women with PMS was significantly lower than normal women (p=0.04). Body mass index was not statistically different between groups. We observed a high rate of vitamin D deficiency and also its severe deficiency in both PMS and non-PMS groups. However, our study demonstrated no significant difference in the levels of serum 25OHD between the two groups. Conclusion: It seems there is no association between PMS and serum levels of vitamin D3; however, the high rate of vitamin D deficiency among young Iranian women emerges special health care considerations in this group. � 2016, Research and Clinical Center for Infertitlity. All rights reserved

Sentiment-Apt investors and UK sector returns

This paper examines the relationship between sentiment-apt investors and UK stock returns at industry level over the period January 1988 to December 2017. Using two new sentiment proxies (laggards to leaders and growth opportunity index) for 10 discrete sector groupings, we provide novel evidence on how returns in the UK stock market react to the activities of sentiment-disposed investors. First, using threshold nonlinear regression, we document a significant relationship between the laggards to leaders sentiment proxy and sectoral returns. Our findings reveal that aggregate returns in the sector are affected by activities of investors who embark on profit-taking when there is an increase in the proportion of lagging to leading stocks beyond the threshold value. Secondly, when using the growth opportunity sentiment proxy, we report that the increase in growth above the growth threshold value has a significant impact on sector returns. This study further confirms significant impact of non-threshold variables on sector groupings. Our findings are robust, having been subjected to a range of robustness checks

The global distribution of leaf chlorophyll content

Leaf chlorophyll is central to the exchange of carbon, water and energy between the biosphere and the atmosphere, and to the functioning of terrestrial ecosystems. This paper presents the first spatially-continuous view of terrestrial leaf chlorophyll content (ChlLeaf) at the global scale. Weekly maps of ChlLeaf were produced from ENVISAT MERIS full resolution (300 m) satellite data using a two-stage physically-based radiative transfer modelling approach. Firstly, leaf-level reflectance was derived from top-of-canopy satellite reflectance observations using 4-Scale and SAIL canopy radiative transfer models for woody and non-woody vegetation, respectively. Secondly, the modelled leaf-level reflectance was input into the PROSPECT leaf-level radiative transfer model to derive ChlLeaf. The ChlLeaf retrieval algorithm was validated using measured ChlLeaf data from 248 sample measurements at 28 field locations, and covering six plant functional types (PFTs). Modelled results show strong relationships with field measurements, particularly for deciduous broadleaf forests (R2 = 0.67; RMSE = 9.25 μg cm-2; p < 0.001), croplands (R2 = 0.41; RMSE = 13.18 μg cm-2; p < 0.001) and evergreen needleleaf forests (R2 = 0.47; RMSE = 10.63 μg cm-2; p < 0.001). When the modelled results from all PFTs were considered together, the overall relationship with measured ChlLeaf remained good (R2 = 0.47, RMSE = 10.79 μg cm-2; p < 0.001). This result is an improvement on the relationship between measured ChlLeaf and a commonly used chlorophyll-sensitive spectral vegetation index; the MERIS Terrestrial Chlorophyll Index (MTCI; R2 = 0.27, p < 0.001). The global maps show large temporal and spatial variability in ChlLeaf, with evergreen broadleaf forests presenting the highest leaf chlorophyll values, with global annual median values of 54.4 μg cm-2. Distinct seasonal ChlLeaf phenologies are also visible, particularly in deciduous plant forms, associated with budburst and crop growth, and leaf senescence. It is anticipated that this global ChlLeaf product will make an important step towards the explicit consideration of leaf-level biochemistry in terrestrial water, energy and carbon cycle modelling

Effect of serum vitamin D level on endometrial thickness and parameters of follicle growth in infertile women undergoing induction of ovulation

In this paper, 153 infertile women undergoing induction of ovulation at an academic tertiary care centre were included in a cross-sectional study. Serum Vitamin D level was measured and the rate of clinical pregnancy (defined as a sonographic presence of FHR of an intrauterine gestational sac) and patient and cycle parameters were determined. The results showed that a correlation exists between endometrial thickness as well as the number of antral follicles and replete level of Vitamin D. Interestingly, the median level of these two parameters was of upmost level in the most replete tertile of serum Vitamin D level. There was no correlation between the serum level of Vitamin D and pregnancy rate. Vitamin D status was associated with endometrial thickness and number of antral follicles, but this study did not find a pivotal effect of serum Vitamin D level on pregnancy rate.Impact statementWhat is already known on this subject? Literature reviews have indicated that a Vitamin D deficiency is directly responsible for a reduced fertility and reproduction capacity. Women with higher level of Vitamin D in serum and follicular fluid are more likely to become pregnant. What do the results of this study add? This study, assessing the effect of serum level of Vitamin D on endometrial thickness and parameters of follicle growth in infertile women undergoing induction of ovulation showed that a correlation exists between endometrial thickness as well as the number of antral follicles and replete level of Vitamin D. It can be concluded that a replete Vitamin D status is associated with a better state of endometrial thickness and a number of antral follicles, but this study did not find a pivotal effect of serum Vitamin D level on the pregnancy rate. What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and further research? If a relationship would be proved between Vitamin D deficiency and endometrial thickness and parameters of follicle growth it is possible that with prescribing supplemental Vitamin D as a relatively inexpensive and safe way along with the other more complex and costly infertility treatments, achieving the pregnancy would be easier. © 2018, © 2018 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group

Effect of serum vitamin D level on endometrial thickness and parameters of follicle growth in infertile women undergoing induction of ovulation

In this paper, 153 infertile women undergoing induction of ovulation at an academic tertiary care centre were included in a cross-sectional study. Serum Vitamin D level was measured and the rate of clinical pregnancy (defined as a sonographic presence of FHR of an intrauterine gestational sac) and patient and cycle parameters were determined. The results showed that a correlation exists between endometrial thickness as well as the number of antral follicles and replete level of Vitamin D. Interestingly, the median level of these two parameters was of upmost level in the most replete tertile of serum Vitamin D level. There was no correlation between the serum level of Vitamin D and pregnancy rate. Vitamin D status was associated with endometrial thickness and number of antral follicles, but this study did not find a pivotal effect of serum Vitamin D level on pregnancy rate.Impact statementWhat is already known on this subject? Literature reviews have indicated that a Vitamin D deficiency is directly responsible for a reduced fertility and reproduction capacity. Women with higher level of Vitamin D in serum and follicular fluid are more likely to become pregnant.What do the results of this study add? This study, assessing the effect of serum level of Vitamin D on endometrial thickness and parameters of follicle growth in infertile women undergoing induction of ovulation showed that a correlation exists between endometrial thickness as well as the number of antral follicles and replete level of Vitamin D. It can be concluded that a replete Vitamin D status is associated with a better state of endometrial thickness and a number of antral follicles, but this study did not find a pivotal effect of serum Vitamin D level on the pregnancy rate.What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and further research? If a relationship would be proved between Vitamin D deficiency and endometrial thickness and parameters of follicle growth it is possible that with prescribing supplemental Vitamin D as a relatively inexpensive and safe way along with the other more complex and costly infertility treatments, achieving the pregnancy would be easier. © 2018 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Grou

Diagnostic and prognostic values of soluble suppression of tumorigenicity-2 measurements in the treatment assessment of adult patients with congenital heart disease and cardiac failure

Background: The standard heart failure treatment in adult patients with Congenital Heart Disease (CHD) is a challenging issue. Biomarkers, such as N-Terminal pro-B-type Natriuretic Peptide (NT-proBNP), have been used, but soluble Suppression of Tumorigenicity-2 (sST2) has been able to bring prognostic value in patients with acute and chronic left heart failure. Objectives: The present study sought to evaluate the predictive value of sST2 and NT-proBNP measurements in the assessment of the efficacy of treatment of adult patients with symptomatic CHD. Methods: This case series was conducted using a before/after design on 80 consecutive adult patients with CHD who had never received treatment for symptomatic heart failure (New York Heart Association functional classes II, III). sST2 levels were measured before and six months after the standard drug regimen of cardiac dysfunction according to the American guidelines in order to assess the efficacy of the standard treatment on sST2. Cardiac function was assessed via echocardiography and functional capacity via the 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT) and direct inquiry from the patients before and six months after the treatment. The data were entered into the SPSS 22 software and were analyzed using paired t-test, Wilcoxon, and chi-square test. Results: The mean age of the patients was 32 years. At the six-month follow-up, functional capacity showed a significant improvement based on the mean 6MWT compared to the pre-treatment state (P < 0.001). In addition, the standard treatment significantly decreased the sST2 level compared to the pre-treatment value (P < 0.001). Conclusions: The measurement of biomarkers could help assess the efficacy of the treatment of adult patients with CHD and symptomatic heart failure. © 2020, Iranian Cardiovascular Research Journal. All rights reserved

Increased phosphorylation of mTOR is involved in remote ischemic preconditioning of hippocampus in mice

Different signaling pathways are involved in tissue protection against ischemia reperfusion (IR) injury, among them mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and related pathways have been examined in many recent studies. Present study evaluated the role of mTOR in remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC) of hippocampus. Renal ischemia was induced (3 cycles of 5 min occlusion and 5 min reperfusion of unilateral renal artery) 24 h before global brain ischemia (20 min bilateral common carotid artery occlusion). Saline or rapamycin (mTOR inhibitor; 5 mg/kg, i.p.) was injected 30 min before RIPC. mTOR and phosphorylated mTOR (p-mTOR) expression, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and retention trial of passive avoidance test were determined 24 h after global ischemia. Apoptosis and neuronal cell density were assessed 72 h after hippocampal ischemia. RIPC decreased apoptosis (p<0.05 vs. IR), improved memory (p<0.05 vs. IR), and augmented p-mTOR expression and SOD activity after hippocampal ischemia (p<0.05 vs. IR). Rapamycin abolished all protective effects of RIPC (p<0.05 vs. RIPC+IR) suggesting a role for mTOR in RIPC induced hippocampal protection. © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

Readmission Following Surgical Stabilization of Rib Fractures

BACKGROUND: Surgical stabilization of rib fractures (SSRF) has become increasingly common for the treatment of traumatic rib fractures; however, little is known about related postoperative readmissions. The aims of this study were to determine the rate, and cost of readmissions as well as to identify patient, hospital, and injury characteristics that are associated with risk of readmission in patients who underwent SSRF. The null hypotheses were that readmissions following rib fixation were rare and unrelated to the SSRF complications. METHODS: This is a retrospective analysis of the 2015–2017 Nationwide Readmission Database. Adult patients with rib fractures treated by SSRF were included. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to compare patients readmitted within 30 days to those who were not, based on demographics, comorbidities, and hospital characteristics. Financial information examined included average visit costs and national extrapolations. RESULTS: 2,522 patients who underwent SSRF were included, of whom 276 (10.9%) were readmitted within 30 days. In 36.2% of patients the reasons for readmissions were related to complications of rib fractures or SSRF. The rest of the patients (63.8%) were readmitted due to mostly non-trauma reasons (32.2%) and new traumatic injuries (21.1%) among other reasons. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that ventilator use, discharge other than home, smaller hospital size, and medical comorbidities were significantly associated with risk of readmission. Nationally, an estimated 2,498 patients undergo SSRF each year, with costs of $176 million for initial admissions and$5.9 million for readmissions. CONCLUSIONS: Readmissions after SSRF are rare and mostly attributed to the reasons not directly related to sequelae of rib fractures or SSRF complications. Interventions aimed at optimizing patients’ pre-existing medical conditions prior to discharge should be further investigated as a potential way to decrease rates of readmission after SSRF. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Epidemiological study, level II