Obesity in African-American Early to Middle-Aged Females: Prevention and Treatment through Education

The objective of this study was to develop an educational program for African-American females on diet and exercise in the treatment and prevention of obesity. African-American female participants aged 30-50 with a Body Mass Index (BMI) over 25 were recruited for inclusion in the study. A qualitative assessment was completed which observed the attitudes, personal beliefs, dietary and physical risk factors regarding weight loss before and after an educational intervention which focused specifically on the targeted population. Pre- and post-assessment questionnaires were utilized in this study. This design intended to measure whether the educational intervention affected real change among the participant’s lifestyle choices. Results revealed that most participants initially did not consider themselves to be overweight or obese and that after the education intervention, realized that they were overweight or obese. Many participants felt that their support systems were adequate. Initially, participants consumed fried foods and high calorie drinks. After the educational intervention, many preferred baked foods and decreased the intake of high calorie drinks. Emotions were also identified as a cause of overeating. Many participants found the educational sessions beneficial to their weight loss and fitness efforts. Challenges such as lack of adequate social support and emotions controlling eating patterns still exist in this population and need to be addressed. The creation of standardized protocols to directly address emotional needs at every medical visit would assist in identification of problems which could negatively affect lifestyle choices.

Generation of mitochondrial replacement monkeys by female pronucleus transfer

Mutations in mitochondrial DNA(mtDNA)are maternally inherited and have the potential to cause severe disorders.Mitochondrial replacement therapies,including spindle,polar body,and pronuclear transfers,are promising strategies for preventing the hereditary transmission of mtDNA diseases.While pronuclear transfer has been used to generate mitochondrial replacement mouse models and human embryos,its application in non-human primates has not been previously reported.In this study,we successfully generated four healthy cynomolgus monkeys(Macaca fascicularis)via female pronuclear transfer.These individuals all survived for more than two years and exhibited minimal mtDNA carryover(3.8%–6.7%),as well as relatively stable mtDNA heteroplasmy dynamics during development.The successful establishment of this nonhuman primate model highlights the considerable potential of pronuclear transfer in reducing the risk of inherited mtDNA diseases and provides a valuable preclinical research model for advancing mitochondrial replacement therapies in humans.

Bone marrow edema in a postpartum female following ankle sprain: a case report

Bone marrow edema(BME)is characterized by an accumulation of interstitial fluid within the bone marrow,the cancellous,hematopoietic compartment within bones.[1]BME is divided into two principal categories:idiopathic or primary BME,with an unknown etiology,and secondary BME,which occurs as a result of an identifiable underlying pathology.[2]Although the prevalence of BME is not limited to specific demographic parameters,it shows a predilection for males or individuals assigned male at birth,predominantly aged between the ages of 30 and 60 years,especially in cases of bone marrow edema syndrome(BMES),a rare idiopathic variant.[3]The etiological spectrum of BME is diverse,including oncological entities(such as acute myeloid leukemia and osteosarcoma),degenerative diseases(such as osteoarthritis),infectious processes(osteomyelitis),ischemic conditions(avascular necrosis),metabolic dysfunctions(osteoporosis),inflammatory disorders(rheumatoid arthritis),and traumatic injuries(such as stress fractures).[1,2]Clinically,BME primarily manifests as localized pain,often accompanied by joint effusion and warmth near the affected joint.Diagnostic protocols typically include physical examination,serological assays,bone marrow biopsies,dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry(DEXA)scans,magnetic resonance imaging(MRI),and ultrasonography,with computed tomography(CT)scans and radiographs being less effective.

Cardiovascular health awareness,risk perception,behavioural intention and INTERHEART risk stratification among middle-aged adults in Malaysia

Objective:To investigate the interrelationship between cardiovascular health awareness,risk perception,behavioural intention,and INTERHEART risk stratification in a middle-aged adult population in Malaysia.Methods:A cross-sectional survey with convenience sampling was conducted during November 2022 and January 2023.Participants completed validated questionnaires assessing cardiovascular health awareness,risk perception of cardiovascular diseases,behavioural intention towards adopting healthy habits,and INTERHEART risk stratification score(IHRS)based on established risk factors.A total of 602 respondents were included in the final analysis.Data were analysed with independent t-test/one-way ANOVA or Mann-Whitney/Kruskal-Wallis to test the differences,Pearson correlation or linear regression test to analyze the association of independent and dependent variables.Results:There was a significant positive correlation between medical knowledge related to cardiovascular disease(CVD)and knowledge related to CVD risk prevention,risk perception,behavioural intention and IHRS(P<0.05,Pearson correlation).Notably,individuals with higher IHRS tended to have lower knowledge related to CVD and CVD risk prevention,risk perception,and behavioural intention.Males,laborers,active/former smokers,individuals with lower household income and educational levels,those involved in occupations not related to the healthcare sector,and those who did not receive the CVD health brochure or are unaware of health self-assessment tools are likely to have lower levels of knowledge,risk perception,and poorer behavioural intention regarding cardiovascular health(P<0.05,one-way ANOVA).While educational level,smoking status,awareness about CVD poster,self-assessment tools were repeatedly significantly associated with knowledge related to CVD and CVD risk prevention,risk perception,behavioral intention and/or IHRS(P<0.05,linear regression).Conclusions:These findings underscore the importance of promoting cardiovascular health awareness and risk perception among middle-aged adults to foster positive BI and reduce CVD risk.Tailored interventions targeting specific risk factors identified by INTERHEART may enhance risk stratification accuracy and facilitate targeted preventive strategies.

Understanding female urinary continence-lessons from complications of female urethral surgery

Dear Editor,We share our experience of two significant complications associated with female urethroplasty and their management in understanding the factors contributing to urinary continence.We have also tried to assess the different components of female urinary continence mechanism and the ways to combat the postoperative urinary continence while performing female urethral surgeries(Fig.1).Informed consent was taken from each of the patients before their evaluation and management.They were explained properly and informed consents were taken from them before the publication of this article.

Mouse KL2 is a unique MTSE involved in chromosome-based spindle organization and regulated by multiple kinases during female meiosis

Microtubule-severing enzymes(MTSEs)play important roles in mitosis and meiosis of the primitive organisms.However,their roles in mammalian female meiosis,which accounts for over 80%of gamete-originated human reproductive diseases,remain unexplored.In the current study,we reported that katanin-like 2(KL2)was the only MTSE concentrating at chromosomes.Furthermore,the knockdown of KL2 significantly reduced the chromosome-based increase in the microtubule(MT)polymer,increased aberrant kinetochore-MT(K-MT)attachment,delayed meiosis,and severely affected normal fertility.We demonstrated that the inhibition of aurora B,a key kinase for correcting aberrant K-MT attachment,significantly eliminated KL2 expression from chromosomes.Additionally,KL2 interacted with phosphorylated eukaryotic elongation factor-2 kinase,and they competed for chromosome binding.Phosphorylated KL2 was also localized at spindle poles,with its phosphorylation regulated by extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2.In summary,the current study reveals a novel function of MTSEs in mammalian female meiosis and demonstrates that multiple kinases coordinate to regulate the levels of KL2 at chromosomes.

Female Infertility and Obesity across the United States—A Geographic Cross-Sectional Analysis

This cross-sectional study investigates a connection between female infertility and obesity across various regions of the United States, utilizing data from the NIH’s “All of Us” Researcher Workbench. Analysis suggested that the Southern region exhibited the highest percentage of concurrently infertile and obese females at 32.3%, in contrast to the lowest in the Western region at 28.7%. The findings underscore the significant regional disparities in obesity-related infertility, particularly in medically underserved areas where healthcare access is limited. The study highlights the urgent need for targeted public health interventions, particularly in the Southern United States, to address the rising prevalence of obesity and its impact on infertility. Further, these results advocate for enhanced public health education and policies aimed at improving healthcare accessibility, with the goal of mitigating the adverse effects of obesity on reproductive health.

Gut microbiota and female health

The gut microbiota is recognized as an endocrine organ with the capacity to influence distant organs and associated biological pathways.Recent advan-cements underscore the critical role of gut microbial homeostasis in female health;with dysbiosis potentially leading to diseases among women such as polycystic ovarian syndrome,endometriosis,breast cancer,cervical cancer,and ovarian cancer etc.Despite this,there has been limited discussion on the underlying mechanisms.This editorial explores the three potential mechanisms through which gut microbiota dysbiosis may impact the development of diseases among women,namely,the immune system,the gut microbiota-estrogen axis,and the metabolite pathway.We focused on approaches for treating diseases in women by addressing gut microbiota imbalances through probiotics,prebiotics supple-mentation,and fecal microbiota transplantation(FMT).Future studies should focus on determining the molecular mechanisms underlying associations between dysbiosis of gut microbiota and female diseases to realize precision medicine,with FMT emerging as a promising intervention.

Examining the Types and Consequences of Female Genital Mutilation in Somalia: A Cross-Sectional Study on the Burden and Impact of Acute and Long-Term Complications

Background: In Africa, female genital mutilation (FGM) is a widespread and harmful practice, with Somalia having the highest incidence at 98%. This practice has severe and long-lasting physical and mental health consequences. The aim of the study was to evaluate the different types of FGM;immediate and long-term complications associated with the practice, and identify factors related to its prevalence. Method: In a one-year cross-sectional hospital-based study, data were collected from females aged 18 - 50 with a history of FGM. Face-to-face semi-structured questionnaires were used for data collection. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 26, utilizing univariate and bivariate analyses to identify correlations between variables, which were presented in tables. Results: In a study involving 255 female participants, 65.5% were between 18 and 30 years old. The majority (82.7%) were married, while 47.1% were illiterate. FGM cases were more prevalent in rural areas (61.6%). Among the participants, 45.1% were employed. Type 3 FGM was the most common (44.3%), followed by Type 2 (32.2%) and Type 1 (23.9%). In terms of short-term complications experienced by circumcised women, the most common were bleeding, reported by 29.8% of participants, followed by infection (25.1%), and urinary retention (19.2%). Among the long-term complications observed, recurrent vaginal infections were the most prevalent, affecting 29.8% of the surveyed females. This was episiotomy during delivery (22.3%) and genital scarring (10.2%). Conclusion: The study reveals that Type 3 FGM is highly prevalent among the surveyed females, contributing to an increased risk of recurrent vaginal infections, prolonged second stage of labor, higher likelihood of episiotomy during delivery, and genital scarring. These findings emphasize the urgent need for effective preventive strategies and implementation from both international and local organizations to eliminate the harmful practice of FGM.

Predictive value of CA-153,CA-125 and Apo A for ocular metastasis in menopausal female patients with breast cancer

AIM:To establish a meaningful standard for diagnosing ocular metastasis(OM)in menopausal breast cancer(BC)women,and explore the relationship between CA-153,CA-125,apolipoprotein A,and OM.METHODS:A total of 1362 menopausal female BC patients with OM volunteered to take part in this study between July 2012 and July 2022.Women with BC who are menopausal were found to have an OM incidence of 1.6%.Furthermore,CA-153,CA-125,and apolipoprotein A(Apo A)all contributed to OM in women with BC who are postmenopausal according to binary logistic regression.Receiver operating curve(ROC)analysis was used to assess the diagnostic value of OM in patients with BC.RESULTS:Both CA-153 and CA-153+CA-125 showed a higher sensitivity of 95.45%,whereas CA-153+Apo A illustrated the highest specificity of 99.02%.Moreover,CA-153 and CA-153+CA-125 had higher areas under the curve(AUC)of 0.973.CONCLUSION:The data indicate that the serum concentrations of CA-153 exhibited the most significant predictors of the diagnosis of OM in menopausal women with BC.The current study researches the utility of risk factors in predicting of OM in menopausal BC women and put forward the latest suggestions on their clinical application.

A Content Analysis Study Describing Information Regarding Female Genital Mutilation Present in US Medical Textbooks

This study examines the depth of information regarding Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)/Female Cutting (FC) present in US medical textbooks. According to Klein et al. (2018) [1], despite substantial attention regarding the effects of FGM, this practice is still ongoing all over the world. Healthcare providers are very important actors who need to understand FGM in order to provide care to girls and women subjected to it, but the small amount of existing work in this area shows a low level of knowledge and training about FGM/FC among U.S. physicians. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) first published the estimated number of girls at risk of FGM/FC in the U.S. to be about 168,000 in 1997;that number had increased to 513,000 girls in the US by 2012 (according to Goldberg et al.) In this study, a small sample of medical textbooks were analyzed for the degree to which the textbooks include information regarding FGM/FC. The results of this study show that US medical textbooks do not include information regarding FGM/FC, suggesting that most medical providers don’t have knowledge and training about FGM/FC. The inadequate information on FGM/FC in medical textbooks reflects a culturally biased lack of recognition of the number of girls and women affected in the US. This maintains an ongoing pattern of silence that reinforces gender inequality. Considering the inadequate information covered in US medical textbooks on FGM/FC, and the concordant lack of provider training to provide advice and care to affected girls and women, incorrect and missed diagnoses may lead to harm to victims of FGM/FC. Providers would be better equipped to care for women and girls if their medical training included information regarding FGM/FC.

Correlation between psychological traits and the use of smart medical services in young and middle-aged adults: An observational study

BACKGROUND Psychological problems affect economic development.However,there is a huge gap between mental health service resources and mental health service needs.Existing mental health service technology and platforms cannot meet all the diverse mental health needs of people.Smart medicine is a new medical system based online that can effectively improve the quality and efficiency of medical services and make mental health services accessible.AIM To explore the level of intelligent medical use among young and middle-aged people and its correlation with psychological factors.METHODS Convenience sampling was used to select 200 young and middle-aged patients with medical experience at the Third People's Hospital of Chengdu between January 2022 and January 2023 as the research subjects.The general condition Questionnaire,Eysenck Personality Questionnaire,Symptom Checklist-90,General Health Questionnaire,and Smart Medical Service Use Intention Questionnaire were used to collect data.Pearson’s correlation was used to analyze the correlation between the participants’willingness to use smart medical services and their personality characteristics,psychological symptoms,and mental health.RESULTS The results revealed that the mental health of young and middle-aged people was poor,and some had psycho-logical problems such as anxiety,depression,and physical discomfort.Familiarity,acceptance,and usage of smart healthcare in this population are at a medium level,and these levels correlate with psychological characteristics.Acceptance was positively correlated with E,and negatively correlated with P,anxiety,fear,anxiety/insomnia,and social dysfunction.The degree of use was negatively correlated with P,obsessive-compulsive symptoms,depression,anxiety,hostility,paranoia,and somatic symptoms.CONCLUSION The familiarity,acceptance,and usage of smart medical services among the middle-aged and young groups are related to various psychological characteristics.

Single-incision laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal repair in the treatment of adult female patients with inguinal hernia

BACKGROUND Women have a 3%lifetime chance of developing an inguinal hernia,which is not as common in men.Due to its cosmetic benefits,single-incision laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal(SIL-TAPP)inguinal hernia repair is becoming in-creasingly popular in the management of inguinal hernia in women.However,there are no studies comparing the safety and applicability of SIL-TAPP repair with conventional laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal(CL-TAPP)inguinal hernia repair for the treatment of inguinal hernia in women.AIM To compare the outcomes of SIL-TAPP and CL-TAPP repair in adult female patients with inguinal hernia and to estimate the safety and applicability of SIL-TAPP repair in adult female inguinal hernia patients.METHODS We retrospectively compared the clinical information and follow-up data of fe-male inguinal hernia patients who underwent SIL-TAPP inguinal hernia repair and those who underwent CL-TAPP inguinal hernia repair at the Affiliated Hos-pital of Nantong University from February 2018 to December 2020 and assessed the long-term and short-term outcomes of both cohorts.RESULTS This study included 123 patients,with 71 undergoing SIL-TAPP repair and 52 un-dergoing CL-TAPP repair.The two cohorts of patients and inguinal hernia charac-teristics were similar,with no statistically meaningful difference.The rate of intraoperative inferior epigastric vessel injury was lower in patients in the SIL-TAPP cohort(0,0%)than in patients in the CL-TAPP cohort(4,7.7%)and was significantly different(P<0.05).In addition,the median[interquartile range(IQR)]total hospitalization costs were significantly lower in patients in the SIL-TAPP cohort[$3287(3218-3325)]than in patients in the CL-TAPP cohort[$3511(3491-3599)].Postoperatively,the occurrence rate of trocar site hernia was lower in the SIL-TAPP cohort(0,0%)than in the CL-TAPP cohort(4,7.7%),and the median(IQR)cosmetic score was significantly higher in the SIL-TAPP cohort[10(10-10)]than in the CL-TAPP cohort[9(9-10)].CONCLUSION SIL-TAPP repair did not increase the incidence of intraoperative and postoperative complications in female in-guinal hernia patients.Moreover,female inguinal hernia patients who underwent SIL-TAPP repair had a lower probability of trocar site hernia and inferior epigastric vessel injury than female inguinal hernia patients who un-derwent CL-TAPP repair.In addition,female inguinal hernia patients who underwent SIL-TAPP repair reported a more aesthetically pleasing postoperative abdominal incision.Therefore,SIL-TAPP repair is a better option for the treatment of inguinal hernias in women.

Traumatized Interpretations of Female Characters in American Southern Culture in The Glass Menagerie

Tennessee Williams is the most famous Southern playwright in the history of 20th century American literature,and southern identity is a thread that runs throughout Williams’work.The Glass Menagerie is one of his highly representative dramatic works.The play tells the story of how an ordinary family in deep identity crisis escapes the harsh reality and cultural trauma during the Great Depression in the United States.Using trauma theory as a tool,this paper explores the complex relationship between the deep-seated causes of the tragedy of the two female characters in the play and the historical context through the traumatic events experienced by the characters in the play and the different attitudes they show in the face of trauma.Through this,the vulnerability and identity crisis of individuals during the period of social change and cultural breaks are analyzed.The purpose of the paper is to arouse human beings’thoughts on how to cope with cultural integration and foreign cultural invasion,and how to obtain salvation when they are amid an identity crisis.

A Preliminary Discussion on Watercolor Creation and Emotional Expression of Female Themes in the 20th Century

The history of watercolor painting spans over three centuries,and the study of watercolor creations focusing on female themes have been a hot topic in the subfield of art studies.Watercolor originated in the Age of Exploration,initially serving as a practical tool for natural history,and later evolving into an art form for the aristocracy.In the 20th century,creations featuring female themes flourished and reached their peak.Compared to early works portraying female theses in mythology and religion,these paintings exhibit significant differences in expression,color,and texture,reflecting the gradual rise of women’s status and the artists’reflections on modern society.This article delves into the development,emotional expression,creation,and inspiration of watercolor paintings with female themes.By analyzing representative works,we explore the artists’portrayal of women and the reflection of women’s living conditions,social status,and ideological consciousness in contemporary society.This article also examines the profound influence and artistic value of these works on contemporary female-themed paintings from the perspective of art studies.

Urological Complications of Female Genital Mutilation: A Case Report of 15 Patients

Objective background: This was a retrospective study of the clinical and therapeutic aspects of urological complications of female genital mutilation in the urology department of Bamako’s Gabriel Touré University Hospital. Methods: Our study took place from 2002 to 2017 in the urology department of the Gabriel Touré University Hospital in Bamako and concerned cases of complications of female genital mutilation. Our study included all girls or women presenting with urinary disorders related to complications of genital mutilation and received in urological consultation and surgical management. Results: The average age of our patients was 2.5 years, with extremes ranging from 3 months to 35 years. The oldest patient had presented with dystocia during both deliveries. Acute urine retention (n = 7) was the most frequent reason for consultation. Other signs included urinary incontinence, pollakiuria and burning. Physical examination revealed clitoridectomy and abrasion of the labia minora in 13 patients. Type III of the WHO classification of female genital mutilation was the most frequent and corresponded to infibulation.

Health promotion and education proposal among Chinese female college students:eliminating cervical cancer is no longer a dream

Cervical cancer is a serious threat to women’s health.Persistent high-risk human papillomavirus(HPV)infection is a necessary factor for cervical cancer development and has become a serious public health threat to women.At present,young women have become a high-risk group for potential HPV infection.HPV vaccination is an effective method to prevent HPV infection and related diseases and is a primary preventive measure for HPV infection-related diseases.This study explores the influencing factors of female college students’willingness to receive HPV vaccination,their ability to understand college students’HPV awareness,their motivation for HPV vaccination,their behavioral skills related to HPV vaccination,their willingness to receive HPV vaccination and their vaccination rate.The aim of this study was to increase the HPV vaccination rate of Chinese female college students through health education programs and thus reduce the incidence of cervical cancer.

Study on the association of multimorbidity with sleep and diet in young and middle-aged adults in Chongqing region,China

Background:The prevalence of multimorbidity is increasing,with a notable shift towards younger age groups.Methods:Convenience sampling was employed to select 15,988 young and middle-aged adults in Chongqing as the study population.The Apriori algorithm was used to identify the multimorbidity patterns within this population,while an unordered binary logistic regression model was applied to assess the association between sleep,diet and the risk of multimorbidity.Results:The study population had an average age of 39.2±10.1 years.Apriori association rules revealed that the most prevalent binary chronic disease multimorbidity pattern was dyslipidaemia+hypertension(14.78%),while the most common ternary chronic disease multimorbidity pattern was diabetes+dyslipidaemia+hypertension(9.66%).The logistic regression analysis revealed that a lower rating of sleep quality was associated with an elevated risk of multimorbidity(odds ratio(OR)=1.17,95%confidence interval(CI):1.01,1.36).Individuals who adhere to a meat-based diet(OR=1.45,95%CI:1.25,1.68)and those with elevated salt intake(OR=1.22,95%CI:1.01,1.47)were also observed to have an increased risk of multimorbidity.Additionally,a greater likelihood of multimorbidity was observed among those following a spicy diet(OR=1.3,95%CI:1.11,1.52)and consuming more oil(OR=1.16,95%CI:1.01,1.33).Conclusion:A poor sleep quality and a dietary preference for meat-based,salt,spicy and oils were found to be associated with an increased risk of multimorbidity progression among young and middle-aged populations.It is recommended that young and middle-aged adults should pay attention not only to sleep duration but also to sleep quality and improve dietary habits to reduce the likelihood of multimorbidity.

Female Warriors in the MCU and Wuxia Films:A Comparative Study

This essay offers a comprehensive comparative analysis of female warriors in the Marvel Cinematic Universe(MCU)and Wuxia films.Both genres portray powerful and empowered female characters who defy societal expectations and embody resilience,effectively challenging gender norms and promoting female empowerment.However,despite their strength,many of these women warriors face certain narrative factors,such as the male gaze and a predetermined fate,which can restrict their agency and curtail their full potential.And it is within the realm of Wuxia films that the captivating element of cross-dressing among female warriors emerges,providing a nuanced exploration of identity and the constraints imposed by society.

Coping review of dementia fear studies among middle-aged and elderly people in the community

This study used Arksey and O’Malley’s scoping review methodology as a framework and searched the following databases:PubMed,Embase,EBSCO,CINAHL,Web of Science,Cochrane Library,Scopus,CNKI,Wanfang,VIP,and the Chinese Biomedical Literature Database.The database is open to December 20,2023,and documents related to the fear of dementia among the elderly in the community are described and analyzed to provide a reference for future research in this field.At the same time,we screened,extracted,and summarized relevant information from 21 included documents(16 in English and 5 in Chinese),which consisted of 16 cross-sectional studies,2 quasi-experimental studies,2 randomized controlled studies,and 1 longitudinal study.Sixteen of the included documents mentioned the incidence or level of dementia fear among the elderly in the community,2 addressed the adverse effects of dementia fear,and 4 reported prevention and intervention measures for dementia fear.In total,there are 8 assessment tools,and the influencing factors are categorized into sociodemographic characteristics,psychological and behavioral characteristics,sociocultural background factors,and health and dementia-related factors.The final conclusion is that the fear of dementia is common among the elderly in the community.In the future,the application of research tools should be expanded among middle-aged individuals,with considerations for other types of dementia in mind.It is recommended to conduct large-scale,multi-center randomized controlled trials while confirming the intervention’s effect on different types of middle-aged and elderly individuals,focusing on the long-term impact of these intervention measures to promote healthy aging.