METHODS: We searched the Central and MEDLINE databases and went through all the reference lists in the related articles. We also searched for ongoing trials at http://www.who.int/ictrp/en/ and www.clinicaltrials.gov. Randomized controlled trials comparing vitamin D supplementation with a placebo or no treatment in pregnant women published in the English language up to March 2019 were included. Two reviewers extracted data independently using a predefined protocol and assessed the risk of bias using the Cochrane risk of bias tool, with differences agreed upon by consensus. The predefined primary outcome was the number of offspring who had RTIs. The secondary outcome was the presence of measurable serum immunoglobulin E levels.
RESULTS: Three trials involving 3,224 participants (mother-child pairs) met the inclusion criteria and were included in this review. The present analysis reported that maternal supplementation with vitamin D had no effect on RTIs among children (n=1,486 offspring; risk ratio, 0.95; 95% confidence interval, 0.82-1.11; random effects; I2 statistics, 0%).
CONCLUSION: Maternal vitamin D supplementation had no effect on RTIs in children. Therefore, consideration of other prevention methods in this regard is recommended.
METHOD: This cross-sectional study included 115 women recruited through their husbands who were patients at a selected government health clinic in Malaysia. A self-administered questionnaire containing the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale-21 and items on health-related information, marital history, sexual history and perception of husband's ED was used to assess possible depression, anxiety and stress.
RESULTS: The prevalence of psychological morbidities was 28.7% (depression=17.4%, anxiety=25.2% and stress=10.4%). Most respondents were middle-aged [median (interquartile range)=44.0 (11.0) years], were employed (55.7%) and had a low income (81.7%). About 47.0% of the spouses had a medical problem. The mean marriage duration was 18.7 (standard deviation=7.9) years. Almost all (90.4%) had sexual intercourse (SI) within the previous month. The majority had moderate-to-high interest in SI (72.2%) with a frequency of one to two times per week (69.6%). The majority (75.7%) did not perceive their husband as having ED. Multiple logistic regression demonstrated that medical illness was significantly associated with anxiety (adjusted odds ratio=2.85, 95% confidence interval=1.11-7.29, P=0.029).
CONCLUSION: Psychological morbidities were present among the spouses of men with T2DM and ED. Psychological well-being was significantly affected by their medical illness. Despite their husband's ED, the women declared to have regular sexual relationships and did not perceive their husband as having erectile problems.
METHOD: In this study, P. minor plants were exogenously elicited with MeJA and leaf samples were subjected to SWATH-MS proteomics analysis. A previously published translated transcriptome database was used as a reference proteome database for a comprehensive protein sequence catalogue and to compare their differential expression.
RESULTS: From this proteomics informed by transcriptomics approach, we have successfully profiled 751 proteins of which 40 proteins were significantly different between control and MeJA-treated samples. Furthermore, a correlation analysis between both proteome and the transcriptome data sets suggests that significantly upregulated proteins were positively correlated with their cognate transcripts (Pearson's r = 0.677) while a weak correlation was observed for downregulated proteins (r = 0.147).
DISCUSSION: MeJA treatment induced the upregulation of proteins involved in various biochemical pathways including stress response mechanism, lipid metabolism, secondary metabolite production, DNA degradation and cell wall degradation. Conversely, proteins involved in energy expensive reactions such as photosynthesis, protein synthesis and structure were significantly downregulated upon MeJA elicitation. Overall protein-transcript correlation was also weak (r = 0.341) suggesting the existence of post-transcriptional regulation during such stress. In conclusion, proteomics analysis using SWATH-MS analysis supplemented by the transcriptome database allows comprehensive protein profiling of this non-model herbal species upon MeJA treatment.
METHOD: One hundred and twenty male C57BL/6 inbred mice were divided into three age groups: young (6 months old), middle-aged (12 months old), and old (18 months old). Each age group consisted of two control groups (distilled water and olive oil) and three treatment groups: Piper betle (50 mg/kg body weight), tocotrienol-rich fraction (30 mg/kg), and Chlorella vulgaris (50 mg/kg). The duration of treatment for all three age groups was two months. Blood was withdrawn from the orbital sinus to determine the antioxidant enzyme activity and the malondialdehyde level.
RESULTS: Piper betle increased the activities of catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase in the young, middle, and old age groups, respectively, when compared to control. The tocotrienol-rich fraction decreased the superoxide dismutase activity in the middle and the old age groups but had no effect on catalase or glutathione peroxidase activity for all age groups. Chlorella vulgaris had no effect on superoxide dismutase activity for all age groups but increased glutathione peroxidase and decreased catalase activity in the middle and the young age groups, respectively. Chlorella vulgaris reduced lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde levels) in all age groups, but no significant changes were observed with the tocotrienol-rich fraction and the Piper betle treatments.
CONCLUSION: We found equivocal age-related changes in erythrocyte antioxidant enzyme activity when mice were treated with Piper betle, the tocotrienol-rich fraction, and Chlorella vulgaris. However, Piper betle treatment showed increased antioxidant enzymes activity during aging.
AIM: To assess the prevalence and factors associated with FSD among breast cancer patients in Kelantan.
METHODS: This cross-sectional study recruited female patients, aged 18-65, who were married and sexually active with their partner, diagnosed with breast cancer, and had undergone breast surgery. Those with underlying psychiatry disorders, previous pelvic surgery, and husbands with sexual problems were excluded. The questionnaire contained demographic and clinical information, together with the Malay Version of the Breast Impact of Treatment Scale and the Malay Version of Female Sexual Distress Scale-Revised. Their sexual function was evaluated using the Malay Version of the Female Sexual Function Index-6. The data were analyzed with simple and multiple linear regressions.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The prevalence and associated factors for FSD in breast cancer patients.
RESULTS: Ninety-four eligible patients were recruited for this study. In total, 73.4% (n = 69) of the patients reported having sexual dysfunction. A family history of breast cancer (P = 0.040), duration of marriage (P = 0.046), and frequency of sexual intercourse (P = 0.002) were significant factors associated with FSD in breast cancer patients after surgery.
CONCLUSION: The significant associated factors shown to influence the FSD score include family history of breast cancer, duration of marriage, and frequency of sexual intercourse. About 73.4% of patients have risk of developing FSD after receiving breast cancer treatment. Siang OP, Draman N, Muhamad R, et al. Sexual Dysfunction Among Women With Breast Cancer in the Northeastern Part of West Malaysia. Sex Med 2021;9:100351.