Anti-Mullerian Hormone Levels in Regularly Menstruating Nigerian Women

Background: Studies have shown that serum levels of Anti-Mullerian Hormones (AMH) decrease with age as it is also an early and sensitive marker of ovarian reserve in women in the North American, European and Asian regions. Various research works have also generated data about AMH in the Caucasian, Americans and Asians There was a need to compare these known data with African data. Objectives: To assess the serum levels of AMH in healthy women of reproductive age and determine the relationship between AMH, age, Body Mass Index, parity and menstrual cycle in healthy regularly menstruating women. Methods: A cross-sectional study of 200 apparently healthy women aged 21-45 years was carried out between January and May 2014. Serum AMH and FSH levels were measured in the participants using Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay. Results: The median AMH value was 4.07ng/mL, while the median FSH value was 9.65mIU/mL. The reference 90% CI of AMH was 0.60 -9.71 ng/ml. There was a significant negative correlation between serum level of AMH and age (r = - 0.718, p<0.001). Conclusion: The serum AMH levels gradually declined throughout the reproductive lifespan of a woman.

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Evaluation of the Blood Level of Adiponectin in Pregnant Adolescents

Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia / RBGO Gynecology and Obstetrics ◽

10.1055/s-0041-1730288 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 43 (06) ◽

pp. 429-435

Author(s):

Elaine Cristina Rocha Pádua ◽

Silvia Daher ◽

Isa de Pádua Cintra Sampaio ◽

Edward Araujo Júnior ◽

Cristina Falbo Guazzelli

Keyword(s):

Serum Levels ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Serum Adiponectin ◽

Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Pregnant Adolescents ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Adolescent Group ◽

Gestational Weight ◽

Intergroup Comparison

Abstract Objective To evaluate serum levels of adiponectin in pregnant adolescents between 30 and 36 weeks of gestation. Method: A prospective cross-sectional study enrolled 67 normal pregnant women between 30 and 36 weeks of gestation and eutrophic (body mass index [BMI]: 18.5–25 kg/m2), of which 36 were adolescents (< 20 years old) and 31 adults (≥ 20 years old). Serum adiponectin levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The t-student or Mann-Whitney tests were used for intergroup comparison. Results Pregnant adolescents showed significantly higher serum adiponectin concentrations compared with pregnant adults (p = 0.04). No differences were observed in adiponectin levels in younger pregnant adolescents (< 16 years old) compared with older pregnant adolescents (≥ 16 years old). Adiponectin values were divided into 3 subgroups: < 3,000 ng/mL, between 3,000 and 5,000 ng/mL, and > 5,000 ng/mL. Birthweight was significantly higher in women > 5,000 ng/mL when compared with < 3,000 ng/mL in the adolescent group. No association between pregestational adiponectin levels and BMI, gestational weight gain, and gestational age was observed; however, there was a positive relation with birthweight (p = 0.0239). Conclusion Serum adiponectin values in pregnant adolescents between 30 and 36 weeks of gestation were higher compared with pregnant adults; however, no differences between younger and older pregnant adolescents were observed.

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Take-out food frequency was associated with energy intake among mothers of young children in urban slum area in North Jakarta

World Nutrition Journal ◽

10.25220/wnj.v05.i1.0010 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 5 (1) ◽

pp. 70

Author(s):

Fitya Safira Birahmatika ◽

Dian Novita Chandra ◽

Luh Ade Ari Wiradnyani

Keyword(s):

Young Children ◽

Energy Intake ◽

Significant Negative Correlation ◽

Urban Slum ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Reproductive Age ◽

Health Concern ◽

Slum Area ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Health And Nutrition

Introduction: Inadequate energy intake was prevalent among women of reproductive age, which may contribute to poor diet. Having great concern towards health and nutrition may play a role in shaping eating habit and food-related behavior to achieve a healthy diet. This study aims to examine the association between health concern and energy intake, while considering other factors such as cooking frequency and having food away from home.Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out in an urban slum area in Jakarta, involving 233 mothers of young children through consecutive sampling. Data was collected through interview using structured questionnaire, including 2x24-hour dietary recall. All statistical analysis was performed using SPSS Version 20.Results: Energy intake of most subjects did not meet the recommendation. There was no significant correlation between health concern measured by General Health Interest Scale and energy intake. The frequency of having take-out food was a significant predictor of the energy intake. Additionally, a significant negative correlation between health concern and having take-out food was found.Conclusion: Having take-out food was associated with energy intake. Provision of health and nutrition information in the food stores might help to increase health concern to shape a healthier diet. Thus, a collaborative effort targeting both food sellers and customers is essential.

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Association between Protein-Bound Uremic Toxins and Asymptomatic Cardiac Dysfunction in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease

Toxins ◽

10.3390/toxins10120520 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 10 (12) ◽

pp. 520 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Shanmugakumar Chinnappa ◽

Yu-Kang Tu ◽

Yi Chun Yeh ◽

Griet Glorieux ◽

Raymond Vanholder ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Chronic Kidney Disease ◽

Kidney Disease ◽

Cardiac Dysfunction ◽

Serum Levels ◽

Significant Negative Correlation ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Left Ventricular ◽

Uremic Toxins ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

The Individual

Although the relationship between protein-bound uremic toxins (PBUTs) and cardiac structure and cardiac mortality in chronic kidney disease (CKD) has been studied in the past, the association between cardiac dysfunction and PBUTs has not yet been studied. We therefore evaluated the association between impaired peak cardiac performance and the serum free and total concentrations of potentially cardiotoxic PBUTs. In a cross-sectional study of 56 male CKD patients (stages 2–5 (pre-dialysis)) who were asymptomatic with no known cardiac diseases or diabetes we measured peak cardiac power (CPOmax), aerobic exercise capacity (VO2max), and echocardiographic parameters of cardiac morphology and evaluated their association with PBUTs. The serum total and free concentrations of indoxyl sulfate (IXS), p-cresyl sulfate (PCS), p-cresyl glucuronide, indole acetic acid, and hippuric acid showed significant negative correlation with CPOmax and VO2max. IXS and PCS were independently associated with CPOmax and VO2max even after controlling for eGFR. No correlation between left ventricular mass index (LVMI) and PBUTs was seen. The present study for the first time has demonstrated the association between subclinical cardiac dysfunction in CKD and serum levels of a panel of PBUTs. Further studies are required to evaluate the mechanism of cardiotoxicity of the individual uremic toxins.

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Benefits of pedometer-measured habitual physical activity in healthy women

Applied Physiology Nutrition and Metabolism ◽

10.1139/h11-145 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 37 (1) ◽

pp. 149-156 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Scheila Karen Graff ◽

Bruna Cherubini Alves ◽

Mariana Kirjner Toscani ◽

Poli Mara Spritzer

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Metabolic Profile ◽

Skinfold Thickness ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Habitual Physical Activity ◽

Reproductive Age ◽

Fat Percentage ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Class I Obesity ◽

Healthy Women

This cross-sectional study aimed at (i) characterizing pedometer-determined physical activity and (ii) examining its associations with dietary intake and anthropometric and metabolic profile in healthy women. Anthropometric and metabolic profile was evaluated in 68 healthy women of reproductive age. Habitual physical activity was assessed using a pedometer for 6 consecutive days, including weekends. Participants were stratified into active and inactive according to the mean steps·day–1(≥6000 and <6000, respectively). Food consumption was evaluated by 24-h recall in a subsample of 35 participants. Thirty-eight women were defined as active and had significantly lower body mass index (BMI), fat percentage, waist circumference, sum of skinfold thickness, insulin, and HOMA than the sedentary group. Mean BMI was 27 kg·m–2(overweight) in active participants and 31 kg·m–2(class I obesity) in inactive participants. Active women consumed more carbohydrates (55.5% ± 9.4% vs. 46.3% ± 7.6%) and calories (2138 ± 679 vs. 1664 ± 558 kcal), and less protein (15.4% ± 4.2% vs. 19.9% ± 5.8%) and lipids (29.0% ± 7.2% vs. 33.8% ± 6.2%) than inactive individuals (p < 0.05). Fiber, cholesterol, and fatty acid intake was similar in both groups. The number of steps was lower on Sunday than on weekdays for the overall group. Using a pedometer for 3 days was sufficient to determine habitual physical activity (sensitivity: 94%; specificity 91% vs. 6 days of pedometer use). In the present study, nonstructured physical activity was associated with more adequate dietary consumption and contributed toward a healthier anthropometric and metabolic profile in young women, despite the high prevalence of overweight.

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Serum levels of ARMS2, COL8A1, RAD51B, and VEGF and their correlations in Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Current Neurovascular Research ◽

10.2174/1567202618666210531130711 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 ◽

Author(s):

Priya Battu ◽

Kaushal Sharma ◽

Manjari Rain ◽

Ramandeep Singh ◽

Akshay Anand

Keyword(s):

Macular Degeneration ◽

Serum Levels ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Statistical Correlation ◽

Age Related Macular Degeneration ◽

Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽

Control Group ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Age Related ◽

Study Results

Background: Many factors including genetic and environmental are responsible for the incidence of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). However, its pathogenesis has not been clearly elucidated yet. Objective: This study aimed to estimate the Age-Related Maculopathy Susceptibility 2 (ARMS2), Collagen type VIII Alpha 1 chain (COL8A1), Rad 51 paralog(RAD51B), and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) protein levels in serum of AMD and control participants and to further investigate their correlation to understand AMD pathogenesis. Methods: For this cross-sectional study, 31 healthy control and 57 AMD patients were recruited from Advanced Eye Centre, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India. A blood sample was taken and serum was isolated from it. ELISA(enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay)was used for the estimation of proteins in the serum of patients. Results: ARMS2 and COL8A1 levels were significantly elevated in the AMD group than in the control group. The highest levels of ARMS2, COL8A1, and VEGF proteins were recorded for the wet AMD sub-group. The study results endorsed significant positive correlation between these following molecules; ARMS2 and COL8A1 (r=0.933, p<0.0001), ARMS2 and RAD51B (r=0.704, p<0.0001), ARMS2 and VEGF (r=0.925, p<0.0001), COL8A1 and RAD51B (r=0.736, p<0.0001), COL8A1 and VEGF (r=0.879, p<0.0001),and RAD51B and VEGF (r=0.691, p<0.0001). Conclusion: The ARMS2 and COL8A1 levels were significantly higher and RAD51B was significantly lower in the AMD group than controls. Also, a significant statistical correlation was detected between these molecules, indicating that their interaction may be involved in the pathogenesis of AMD.

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Sero-Epidemiological Study of Hepatitis E Virus among Thalassemia as High Risk Patients: A Cross-Sectional Survey in Jahrom, Southern, Iran

Global Journal of Health Science ◽

10.5539/gjhs.v8n9p245 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 8 (9) ◽

pp. 245 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Abdolreza Sotoodeh Jahromi ◽

Abbas Ahmadi-vasmehjani ◽

Hassan Zabetian ◽

Hossein Hakimelahi ◽

Alireza Yusefi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Hepatitis E Virus ◽

Age Groups ◽

Serum Levels ◽

Hepatitis E ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Ig G

<p>Hepatitis E virus (HEV) could be cause of viral hepatitis in the developing countries and cause severe epidemics. According to other studies, blood transfusion as a probable route of HEV infection has been suggested. An infection with hepatitis agents such as HEV causes active liver failure in multi-transfusion patients in particular thalassemia. The purpose of this study determines the seropositivity of anti-HEV antibodies in thalassemia individuals in Jahrom. In a cross-sectional study, sera from 110 thalassemia were collected between 2013 and 2014. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method was performed to detection of anti-HEV antibodies. Individuals’ data were collected such as, demographic and clinical, for statistical analysis. Our results show that 10% and 1.8% of the enrolled patients were HEV Ig-G and Ig-M positive antibodies respectively. In addition, there was statiscally significant difference in age groups for prevalence of anti-HEV Ig-G (P = 0.01). Also the serum levels of liver enzymes such as ALT and AST in the HEV Ig-G and Ig-M positive samples were significantly higher than anti-HEV negative samples. But there were no significant difference between sex and splenectomy with anti-HEV positive samples. The results indicate more study are needed to assess HEV screening of blood products to these patients that those have a probably risk of exposure to HEV especially in higher years old. </p>

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Is Depression Related to Low Folate Levels in People with Epilepsy? An Observational Study and Meta-analysis

Journal of Neurosciences in Rural Practice ◽

10.4103/jnrp.jnrp_468_16 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 08 (03) ◽

pp. 381-388 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Bhargavi Ramanujam ◽

Bhupender Kumar Bajaj ◽

Kirandeep Kaur ◽

Kuljeet Singh Anand ◽

Gurdeep Buxi

Keyword(s):

Depressive Symptomatology ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Serum Levels ◽

Significant Negative Correlation ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Serum Folate ◽

Folate Supplementation ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Pooled Data ◽

Low Serum

ABSTRACT Background: Both depression and low serum levels of folate are common in people with epilepsy (PWE), the latter especially in patients on hepatic enzyme-inducing antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). We did a cross-sectional study and a meta-analysis to assess if lower folate levels have any relation with depression in PWE. Materials and Methods: Two hundred and one PWE were recruited and assessed for depression using the Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology-Self-Rated (IDS-SR) and Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology-Clinician Rated; serum folate levels were measured in them at the same time. Literature search was carried out and studies with data on depression as well as folate levels in PWE were included. Statistical analysis to determine frequency of depression, low folate levels, and relation between them among our cases and the pooled data from the included studies was done. Results: Depression was observed in 65.68% and low serum folate (<4 ng/ml) in 48.75% of PWE (over 80% on older AEDs); there was no statistically significant correlation between them. However, on analyzing the pooled data of six studies including the present, the Fisher’s z-transformed correlation coefficient was −0.1690 (95% confidence interval [−0.3175, −0.0124], P = 0.0464). Conclusions: Depression and low folate levels are common in PWE. Low folate levels have a mild but significant negative correlation with depression in this population, and folate supplementation would be advisable for those on the older AEDs.

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Association of the Serum Levels of the Nucleocapsid Antigen of SARS-CoV-2 With the Diagnosis, Disease Severity, and Antibody Titers in Patients With COVID-19: A Retrospective Cross-Sectional Study

Frontiers in Microbiology ◽

10.3389/fmicb.2021.791489 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Rin Yokoyama ◽

Makoto Kurano ◽

Yuki Nakano ◽

Yoshifumi Morita ◽

Hiroko Ohmiya ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Clinical Significance ◽

Serum Levels ◽

Significant Negative Correlation ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Characteristic Analysis ◽

Serum Samples ◽

Igg Antibody ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Mild Disease ◽

Antibody Titers

Background: Several types of laboratory tests for COVID-19 have been established to date; however, the clinical significance of the serum SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid (N) antigen levels remains to be fully elucidated. In the present study, we attempted to elucidate the usefulness and clinical significance of the serum N antigen levels.Methods: We measured the serum N antigen levels in 391 serum samples collected from symptomatic patients with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 and 96 serum samples collected from patients with non-COVID-19, using a fully automated chemiluminescence immunoassay analyzer.Results: Receiver operating characteristic analysis identified the optimal cutoff value of the serum N antigen level (cutoff index, based on Youden’s index) as 0.255, which yielded a sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of COVID-19 of 91.0 and 81.3%, respectively. The serum N antigen levels were significantly higher in the patient groups with moderate and severe COVID-19 than with mild disease. Moreover, a significant negative correlation was observed between the serum N antigen levels and the SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibody titers, especially in patients with severe COVID-19.Conclusion: Serum N antigen testing might be useful both for the diagnosis of COVID-19 and for obtaining a better understanding of the clinical features of the disease.

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Investigation of IL-17A Serum Levels in Patients with Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer

Dermatology Research and Practice ◽

10.1155/2021/5540163 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 2021 ◽

pp. 1-5

Author(s):

Mehdi Ghahartars ◽

Fatemeh Sedaghat ◽

Elham Khajavi ◽

Amir Ali Nejat ◽

Mahyar Malekzadeh ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Skin Cancer ◽

Cell Carcinoma ◽

Serum Levels ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer ◽

Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽

Control Group ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Interleukin 17A ◽

Significant Difference

Background. Role of interleukin 17A (IL-17A) in carcinogenesis and cancer growth is controversial. Although some researches support its antitumor activity, some others suggest that it promotes the growth and development of different types of cancer including skin cancer by activation of STAT3. Although the function of the cytokines such as IL-17A has been extensively studied in various types of cancer, nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) has not received much attention. Therefore, the present study was aimed to investigate the serum levels of IL-17A in NMSC patients. Methods. This cross-sectional study was performed on 60 patients with basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) as well as 57 age-sex matched healthy individuals as control group. Measurement of IL-17A serum levels in both case and control groups was performed by a commercially reliable sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit. Results. In this study, we observed that IL-17A serum levels in NMSC patients were significantly higher than the control group P < 0.001 . Also, both BCC and SCC patients had higher levels of IL-17A in their sera in comparison to the controls ( P = 0.001 and P < 0.001 , respectively). However, there was no significant difference between SCC and BCC patients regarding serum levels of IL-17A. Conclusion. According to our results, it can be concluded that IL-17A may play a role in inducing the growth and progression of NMSC and it can be used as a therapeutic target in these patients in future.

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Galectin-1, The New Player in Staging and Prognosis of COVID-19

10.21203/rs.3.rs-830345/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Sofija Sekulic ◽

Nevena Gajovic ◽

Milena Jurisevic ◽

Marina Jovanovic ◽

Biljana Popovska Jovicic ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Proinflammatory Cytokines ◽

Virus Disease ◽

Radiographic Finding ◽

Serum Levels ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽

Atypical Pneumonia ◽

Tissue Destruction ◽

Roc Curve Analysis ◽

Cross Sectional

Abstract Background A new virus from the group of coronaviruses was identified as the cause of atypical pneumonia and called severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and disease called Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19). During the cytokine storm, the main cause of the death, proinflammatory cytokines are released which stimulate further tissue destruction. Galectin-1 is pleiotropic cytokine involved in many immune and inflammatory processes and its role in COVID-19 is still unknown. Objective The aim of this study was to determine systemic values of galectin-1 and correlations between gal-1 and proinflammatory cytokines and clinical parameters during COVID-19 progression. Design Observational and cross-sectional study. Patients 210 COVID-19 patients were included and divided into mild, severe or critical group according to COVID-19 severity. Main Measures Serum levels of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, IL-23, IL-33 and galectin-1 were measured using sensitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits. Key Results Systemic levels of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, IL-23, IL-33 and galectin-1 were significantly higher in stage III of COVID-19 patients compared to stage I and II. There were no significant differences in ratio between Galectin-1 and IL-10 with proinflammatory cytokines. Positive correlation was detected between Gal-1 and IL-1β, IL6, IL-10, IL-23 and IL-33. Gal-1 positively correlated with chest radiographic finding, dry cough and headache and negatively correlated with normal breathing sound. Conclusions Linear regression model and ROC curve analysis point on Gal-1 as significant predictors for COVID-19 severity. Presented results implicate on Gal-1 and IL-10 dependent immunomodulation. The precise mechanism of Gal-1 effect in COVID-19 and its potential as a stage marker of disease severity is still to be clarified.

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