Nongenetic determinants of age at menarche: A systematic review

Background. The acceleration of pubertal development is an important medical and social problem, as it may result in increased morbidity and mortality in later life. This systematic review summarizes relevant data about nongenetic factors, which contribute to age at menarche (AAM), and suggests those which may be the most important. Methods. The available literature from 1980 till July 2013 was searched using PubMed and Google Scholar databases. Finally, 154 papers were selected for the analysis. Results. Environmental factors, which may affect AAM, vary in populations of different ethnicity. The prenatal, infancy, and early childhood periods are the most susceptible to these factors. Body weight, high animal protein intake, family stressors (e.g., single parenting), and physical activity seem to influence AAM in most populations. Conclusions. The data about influence of nongenetic factors on AAM are still inconsistent. The factors affecting prenatal and early childhood growth seem to have a larger effect on further sexual maturation. Further studies are needed in order to validate the association between other environmental determinants and AAM in different ethnical groups.published_or_final_versio

Dirichlet Boundary Value Problem for the Second Order Asymptotically Linear System

We consider the second order system x′′=f(x) with the Dirichlet boundary conditions x(0)=0=x(1), where the vector field f∈C1(Rn,Rn) is asymptotically linear and f(0)=0. We provide the existence and multiplicity results using the vector field rotation theory

Проблема экстубации у больных с острыми стенозирующими ларинготрахеитами и пути ее решения

Three different extubation procedures were compared in 31 patients with acute stenotic laryngotracheitis. The influence of each method on extubation components, such as inflammation, stress, allergy, by eosinophilic changes and glycemia and cortisol levels, was evaluated. The proposed extubation procedure was found to have an advantage over traditional ones. Проведено сравнение трех различных способов экстубации у 31 больного с острым стенозирующим ларинготрахеитом. Оценено влияние каждого метода на составляющие процесса экстубации — воспаление, стресс и аллергию через динамику эозинофилов, уровень гликемии и кортизола. Проанализировано влияние каждого метода на гемодинамические показатели у больных. Выявлено преимущество предлагаемого способа экстубации перед традиционными.

LASER PHYSICS LETTERS

Abstract: Raman spectroscopy offers a powerful alternative analytical method for the detection and identification of lipids/oil in biological samples, such as algae and fish. Recent research in the authors' groups, and experimental data only very recently published by us and a few other groups suggest that Raman spectroscopy can be exploited in instances where fast and accurate determination of the iodine value (associated with the degree of lipid unsaturation) is required. Here the current status of Raman spectroscopy applications on algae is reviewed, and particular attention is given to the efforts of identifying and selecting oil-rich algal strains for the potential mass production of commercial biofuels and for utilization in the food industry. Normalized intensity, a.u

PACS: 32.30.-r, 32.60.+i, 32.70

Abstract: We have measured light shifts, also known as AC Stark shifts, as a function of laser intensity in cold Rubidium atoms by observing sub-natural linewidth gain and loss features in the transmission spectrum of a weak probe beam passing through the atomic sample. The observed energy-level shifts for atoms in a magneto-optical trap (MOT) are found to be consistently higher than that obtained in optical molasses (i.e., when the magnetic field gradient in the MOT is turned off). Using a simple model of a multilevel Rubidium atom interacting with pump and probe beams, we have calculated the theoretical light shift as a function of intensity. A comparison of these calculated values with the light shift data obtained for molasses reveals good agreement between experiment and theory. Further, our model elucidates the role of the Zeeman shifts arising from the magnetic field gradient in the observed probe transmission spectrum for the MOT. A qualitative plot of the transmission spectrum of a probe beam through a fictitious sample of cold J = 1 → J = 2 atoms showing probe absorption at the sum of the pump frequency ω pump and δ , where δ is the difference of the light shifts between the |J = 1,mJ = 0 and the |J = 1,mJ = ± 1 ground state Zeeman sublevels. Probe gain is depicted at ω pump -δ . Se

Age at menarche and lung function: a Mendelian randomization study.

A trend towards earlier menarche in women has been associated with childhood factors (e.g. obesity) and hypothesised environmental exposures (e.g. endocrine disruptors present in household products). Observational evidence has shown detrimental effects of early menarche on various health outcomes including adult lung function, but these might represent spurious associations due to confounding. To address this we used Mendelian randomization where genetic variants are used as proxies for age at menarche, since genetic associations are not affected by classical confounding. We estimated the effects of age at menarche on forced vital capacity (FVC), a proxy for restrictive lung impairment, and ratio of forced expiratory volume in one second to FVC (FEV1/FVC), a measure of airway obstruction, in both adulthood and adolescence. We derived SNP-age at menarche association estimates for 122 variants from a published genome-wide meta-analysis (N = 182,416), with SNP-lung function estimates obtained by meta-analysing three studies of adult women (N = 46,944) and two of adolescent girls (N = 3025). We investigated the impact of departures from the assumption of no pleiotropy through sensitivity analyses. In adult women, in line with previous evidence, we found an effect on restrictive lung impairment with a 24.8 mL increase in FVC per year increase in age at menarche (95% CI 1.8-47.9; p = 0.035); evidence was stronger after excluding potential pleiotropic variants (43.6 mL; 17.2-69.9; p = 0.001). In adolescent girls we found an opposite effect (-56.5 mL; -108.3 to -4.7; p = 0.033), suggesting that the detrimental effect in adulthood may be preceded by a short-term post-pubertal benefit. Our secondary analyses showing results in the same direction in men and boys, in whom age at menarche SNPs have also shown association with sexual development, suggest a role for pubertal timing in general rather than menarche specifically. We found no effect on airway obstruction (FEV1/FVC)

Grossesses non prévues, violences sexuelles et contraception chez les femmes consommant du cannabis ou d’autres substances psychoactives illégales en Île-de-France : données du Baromètre Santé 2016

International audienceBackgroundWomen who use psychoactive substances could have higher levels of unplanned pregnancy and of difficulties accessing long-term contraceptive methods than those who do not use these substances. General population data on this topic are rare, particularly in France.MethodsThis study is based on data from the French Health Survey 2016, collected from women aged 15 to 49 years and living in the Great Paris region (N = 1626). Use of illegal psychoactive substances (cannabis, substances used via intranasal or intravenous administration) were evaluated over the lifecourse and, for cannabis, over the 12 months preceding the study. Unplanned pregnancies were ascertained over the preceding 5 years, emergency contraception, abortion, and the experience of sexual violence during the lifecourse. We also studied the number of sexual partners in the preceding 12 months, as well as current contraception. Data were analyzed using weighted logistic regression models, adjusted for participants’ sociodemographic characteristics and tobacco use.ResultsWomen who use illegal substances have a higher probability than non-users to experience an unplanned pregnancy in the preceding 5 years (OR associated with lifecourse cannabis use: 1.61, 95% CI 1.00–2.58), to have used emergency contraception (ORs between 2.20 to 2.90), to have had an abortion (OR associated with lifecourse cannabis use: 1.77, 95% CI 1.26–2.49), and to have experienced sexual violence (ORs between 1.87 to 3.14). They also had more sexual partners than non-users, but did not differ in terms of contraception.ConclusionIn the general population, there is a relationship between women's use of illegal substances and their probability of experiencing sexual violence. These results should be brought to the attention of health professionals in contact with women, to help identify those who have addictive behaviors and identify their sexual and reproductive health needs.Position du problèmeLes femmes qui ont des consommations de produits psychoactifs pourraient avoir plus de grossesses non prévues et des difficultés d’accès à une contraception fiable que celles qui n’ont pas ce type de consommation. Les données sur ce sujet en population générale sont rares, particulièrement en France.MéthodesCette étude s’appuie sur les données du Baromètre Santé 2016 recueillies auprès de femmes âgées de 15 à 49 ans, vivant en Île-de-France (n = 1626). Les consommations de produits psychoactifs illégaux (cannabis, substances utilisées par voie intranasale ou intraveineuse) ont été évaluées au cours de la vie et, pour le cannabis, au cours des 12 mois précédant l’enquête. Les grossesses non prévues ont été renseignées au cours des cinq ans précédant l’enquête, l’utilisation de la contraception d’urgence, l’interruption volontaire de grossesse (IVG), et l’expérience de violences sexuelles au cours de la vie. Nous avons également étudié le nombre de partenaires sexuels dans les 12 mois précédant l’enquête et le type de contraception utilisé. Les analyses ont été menées à l’aide de modèles de régression logistique pondérés, en ajustant sur les caractéristiques sociodémographiques et la consommation quotidienne de tabac.RésultatsLes femmes rapportant des consommations de produits psychoactifs illégaux avaient une probabilité plus élevée que les non-consommatrices d’avoir eu une grossesse non prévue dans les 5 ans (OR associé au cannabis au cours de la vie : 1,61, IC à 95 % 1,00–2,58), d’avoir utilisé une contraception d’urgence (ORs de 2,20 à 2,90), d’avoir eu une IVG (OR associé au cannabis au cours de la vie : 1,77, IC à 95 % 1,26–2,49), et d’avoir subi des violences sexuelles (ORs de 1,87 à 3,14). Elles avaient aussi plus de partenaires sexuels que les non-consommatrices, mais ne différaient pas en termes de mode de contraception utilisé.ConclusionEn population générale, on observe des liens entre consommations de produits psychoactifs illégaux par les femmes et probabilité accrue de grossesse non prévue et de violences sexuelles. Ces résultats devraient être portés à l’attention des professionnels de santé en contact avec les femmes, afin de repérer celles qui ont des conduites addictives et identifier leurs besoins de santé sexuelle et reproductive

Residential proximity to traffic and female pubertal development

BACKGROUND: Traffic-related air pollution (TRAP) has been linked with several adverse health outcomes, including preterm birth and low birth weight, which are both related to onset of puberty. No studies to date have investigated the association between TRAP and altered pubertal timing. OBJECTIVE: Determine the association between residential proximity to traffic, as a marker of long-term TRAP exposure, and age at pubertal onset in a longitudinal study of girls. METHODS: We analyzed data for 437 girls at the CYGNET study site of the Breast Cancer and Environment Research Program. TRAP exposure was assessed using several measures of residential proximity to traffic based on address at study entry. Using accelerated failure time models, we calculated time ratios (TRs) and their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for specified traffic metrics and pubertal onset, defined as stage 2 or higher for breast or pubic hair development (respectively, B2+ and PH2+). Models were adjusted for race/ethnicity, household income, and cotinine levels. RESULTS: At baseline, 71% of girls lived within 150m of a major road. The median age of onset was 10.3 years for B2+ and 10.9 years for PH2+. Living within 150m downwind of a major road was associated with earlier onset of PH2+ (adjTR 0.96, 95% CI 0.93, 0.99). Girls in the highest quintile of either distance-weighted traffic density, annual average daily traffic, and/or traffic density also reached PH2+ earlier than girls in the lowest quintiles. CONCLUSIONS: In this first study to assess the association between residential proximity to traffic and pubertal onset we found girls with higher exposure reached one pubertal milestone several months earlier than low exposed girls, even after consideration of likely confounders. Results should be expanded in larger epidemiological studies, and with measured levels of air pollutants