OUP accepted manuscript

STUDY QUESTION

What is the scope of literature regarding women’s reproductive span in terms of definitions, trends and determinants?

SUMMARY ANSWER

The scoping review found a wide variation in definitions, trends and determinants of biological, social and effective women’s reproductive span.

WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY

A woman’s reproductive span refers to her childbearing years. Its span influences a woman’s reproductive decisions.

STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION

A systematic scoping review was conducted. We searched MEDLINE, PubMed, JSTOR, CINAHL, Web of Science and Scopus electronic databases from inception to January 2021 without imposing language or date restrictions. We searched unpublished sources including the Global Burden of Disease, Demographic and Health Surveys, and National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys. The list of relevant references was searched by hand. Sixty-seven reports on women’s reproductive span were included in this review.

PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS

This scoping systematic review followed an established framework. The reporting of this scoping review followed the reporting requirements provided in the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses, Extension for Scoping Reviews. Identified records were independently screened and data were extracted. We performed conceptual synthesis by grouping the studies by available concepts of reproductive span and then summarized definitions, measures used, temporal trends, determinants, and broad findings of implications on population demographics and assisted reproduction. Structured tabulation and graphical synthesis were used to show patterns in the data and convey detailed information efficiently, along with a narrative commentary.

MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE

A total of 67 relevant reports on women’s reproductive span were published between 1980 and 2020 from 74 countries. Most reports (42/67) were cross-sectional in design. Literature on reproductive span was conceptually grouped as biological (the interval between age at menarche and age at menopause), effective (when a woman is both fertile and engaging in sexual activity) and social (period of exposure to sexual activity). We summarized the working definitions, trends and determinants of each concept. Few articles addressed implications on demographics and assisted reproduction.

LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION

A formal assessment of methodological quality of the included studies was not performed because the aim of this review was to provide an overview of the existing evidence base regardless of quality.

WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS

The review produced a comprehensive set of possible definitions of women’s reproductive span, trends, and potential determinants. Further advancement of these findings will involve collaboration with relevant stakeholders to rate the importance of each definition in relation to demography and fertility care, outline a set of core definitions, identify implications for policy, practice or research and define future research opportunities to explore linkages between reproductive spans, their determinants, and the need for assisted reproduction.

STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S)

This work received funding from the UNDP-UNFPA-UNICEF-WHO-World Bank Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction (HRP), a cosponsored programme executed by the World Health Organization (WHO). The authors had no competing interests.

STUDY REGISTRATION NUMBER

N/A.

The transCampus Metabolic Training Programme Explores the Link of SARS-CoV-2 Virus to Metabolic Disease

Currently, we are experiencing a true pandemic of a communicable disease by the virus SARS-CoV-2 holding the whole world firmly in its grasp. Amazingly and unfortunately, this virus uses a metabolic and endocrine pathway via ACE2 to enter our cells causing damage and disease. Our international research training programme funded by the German Research Foundation has a clear mission to train the best students wherever they may come from to learn to tackle the enormous challenges of diabetes and its complications for our society. A modern training programme in diabetes and metabolism does not only involve a thorough understanding of classical physiology, biology and clinical diabetology but has to bring together an interdisciplinary team. With the arrival of the coronavirus pandemic, this prestigious and unique metabolic training programme is facing new challenges but also new opportunities. The consortium of the training programme has recognized early on the need for a guidance and for practical recommendations to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic for the community of patients with metabolic disease, obesity and diabetes. This involves the optimal management from surgical obesity programmes to medications and insulin replacement. We also established a global registry analyzing the dimension and role of metabolic disease including new onset diabetes potentially triggered by the virus. We have involved experts of infectious disease and virology to our faculty with this metabolic training programme to offer the full breadth and scope of expertise needed to meet these scientific challenges. We have all learned that this pandemic does not respect or heed any national borders and that we have to work together as a global community. We believe that this transCampus metabolic training programme provides a prime example how an international team of established experts in the field of metabolism can work together with students from all over the world to address a new pandemic.

First Measurement of Near-Threshold J/ψ Exclusive Photoproduction off the Proton

We report on the measurement of the γp→J/ψp cross section from E_{γ}=11.8  GeV down to the threshold at 8.2 GeV using a tagged photon beam with the GlueX experiment. We find that the total cross section falls toward the threshold less steeply than expected from two-gluon exchange models. The differential cross section dσ/dt has an exponential slope of 1.67±0.39  GeV^{-2} at 10.7 GeV average energy. The LHCb pentaquark candidates P_{c}^{+} can be produced in the s channel of this reaction. We see no evidence for them and set model-dependent upper limits on their branching fractions B(P_{c}^{+}→J/ψp) and cross sections σ(γp→P_{c}^{+})×B(P_{c}^{+}→J/ψp).

Continuous cardiometabolic risk score definitions in early childhood: a scoping review

BACKGROUND

Cardiometabolic risk (CMR) in young children has been measured using various approaches, including a continuous summary score that incorporates components such as adiposity, lipids, metabolic factors and blood pressure.

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this study was to comprehensively review definitions of continuous CMR scores in children <10 years of age.

METHODS

A scoping review was conducted using a systematic search of four scientific databases up to June 2016. Inclusion criteria were children <10 years of age and report of a continuous CMR score.

RESULTS

Ninety-one articles were included. Most studies were published from 2007 to 2016 (96%). Nearly all continuous CMR scores (90%) were calculated using the sum or the mean of z-scores, and many articles age-standardized and sex-standardized components within their own population. The mean number of variables included in the risk scores was 5 with a range of 3-11. The most commonly included score components were waist circumference (52%), triglycerides (87%), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (67%), glucose (43%) and systolic blood pressure (52%).

IMPORTANCE

Continuous CMR scores are emerging frequently in the child health literature and are calculated using numerous methods with diverse components. This heterogeneity limits comparability across studies. A harmonized definition of CMR in childhood is needed.

Clinical Evaluation of Serum Aminoterminal Propeptide of Type III Procollagen as Tumor Marker in Gynecologic Malignancies

Aims

The aim of this study was to determine the possible usefulness of the assay of the aminoterminal propeptide of type III procollagen and fibronectin in detecting connective tissue changes associated with gynecologic malignancies.

Study Design

Serum aminoterminal propeptide of type III procollagen and plasma fibronectin were measured in 36 women with gynecologic malignancies, 20 women with benign gynecologic tumors and 10 healthy women serving as controls.

Results

A significant serum propeptide was significantly high In the group with gynecologic malignancies and normal in the benign tumor group. The serum propeptide levels were related to of disease stage and presence of ascites in patients with ovarian carcinoma but not in those with cervical or endometrial carcinoma. In the follow-up study, a favorable clinical response was associated with normalizing propeptide levels whereas in rapidly progressive disease the levels fell initially but rose again. In partial response with ultimate progression, the propeptide concentration decreased but remained clearly above the normal range. No difference in plasma fibronectin was found among the malignant tumor, benign tumor and control groups.

Conclusions

The present study indicates that the aminoterminal propeptide of type III procollagen could serve as an additional, non specific marker to follow the clinical behavior of gynecologic malignancies and consequently of connective tissue metabolism reflecting tumor matrix interaction.

Flexural Fatigue Performance of Glass Fiber/Epoxy Step-Wise Functionally and Non-Functionally Graded Composites of Different Structures

Flexural fatigue performance of newly developed step-wise functionally graded (FG) composites has been investigated experimentally. Two unidirectional glass fiber (UGF)/epoxy FG composites with overall fiber volume fraction of 39.9 ± 0.3% and thickness of 6.0 ± 0.1 mm were fabricated using hand lay-up technique. The fabrication proposed technique depends on the variation of the composite structure achieved by three different templates. A non-functionally graded (NFG) composite laminate with the same overall fiber volume fraction and thickness was also fabricated using a fourth template for comparison. Each of the FG and NFG composites is made of six plies. Each ply has a thickness of 1.0 mm. This occurs by controlling the amount of matrix in each ply (constant matrix amount for all plies). Fatigue tests were performed at zero mean stress. A 20% reduction of the initial flexural stiffness was taken as a failure criterion. The S–N curves for the fabricated FG and NFG composites have been constructed as design curves. For FG composites, the effects of the spatial gradient of fiber content and plies stacking sequence on both S–N relationships and the specimens’ surface temperature rise were studied. Two-parameter Weibull distribution function was used to statistically analyze the fatigue life results.

Finding the Position and Orientation of a Sensor on a Robot Manipulator Using Quaternions

The problem of finding the relative position and orientation between the reference frames of a link-mounted sensor and the link has been formulated as a kinematic equation of the form H l H x = H x H c in terms of homogeneous transformation matrices by Shiu and Ahmad (1987). In this article, normal ized quaternions (Euler parameters) are used to transform the kinematic equation into two simple and structured linear systems with rank-deficient coefficient matrices. Closed-form solutions to these systems are derived using the generalized inverse method with singular-value decomposition analysis. To obtain a unique solution, two distinct robot movements are required. This leads to an overdetermined system of equations. A criterion for selecting the independent set of equations is developed. A set of closed-form formulae for the solution of these equations are derived. The selection crite rion and the solution formulae can be easily incorporated in application programs that require the calculation of the rela tive position and orientation of the sensor.

Molecular Epidemiology of Mycobacterium bovis in Humans and Cattle

Bovine tuberculosis (bTB), caused by Mycobacterium bovis (M. bovis), is a serious re-emerging disease in both animals and humans. The evolution of the Multi- and Extensively drug-resistant M. bovis strains (MDR-TB and XDR-TB) represents a global threat to public health. Worldwide, the disease is responsible for great economic losses in the veterinary field, serious threat to the ecosystem, and about 3.1% of human TB cases, up to 16% in Tanzania. Only thorough investigation to understand the pathogen's epidemiology can help in controlling the disease and minimizing its threat. For this purpose, various tools have been developed for use in advanced molecular epidemiological studies of bTB, either alone or in combination with standard conventional epidemiological approaches. These techniques enable the analysis of the intra- and inter-species transmission dynamics of bTB. The delivered data can reveal detailed insights into the source of infection, correlations among human and bovine isolates, strain diversity and evolution, spread, geographical localization, host preference, tracing of certain virulence factors such as antibiotic resistance genes, and finally the risk factors for the maintenance and spread of M. bovis. They also allow for the determination of epidemic and endemic strains. This, in turn, has a significant diagnostic impact and helps in vaccine development for bTB eradication programs. The present review discusses many topics including the aetiology, epidemiology and importance of M. bovis, the prevalence of bTB in humans and animals in various countries, the molecular epidemiology of M. bovis, and finally applied molecular epidemiological techniques.

Phenotypic characterization of Acinetobacter baumannii isolates from intensive care units at a tertiary-care hospital in Egypt

Multi-drug resistant (MDR) strains of Acinetobacter baumannii are responsible for an increasing number of opportunistic infections in hospitals. This study determined the prevalence of MDR A. baumannii isolates from intensive care units in a large tertiary-care hospital in Ismailia, Egypt, and the occurrence of different beta-lactamases in these isolates. Biotyping and antimicrobial susceptibility profile was done for isolated strains. Respiratory, urine, burn wound and blood specimens were collected from 350 patients admitted to different units; 10 strains (2.9%) of A. baumannii were isolated. All isolates showed resistance to more than 3 classes of antibiotics. Among the isolates, 6 isolates were carbapenemase producers, 2 were AmpC beta-lactamase producers and no isolates were metallo-beta-lactamase producers. Despite the low prevalence of A. baumannii infection in this hospital, the antibiotic resistance profile suggests that prevention of health-care-associated transmission of MDR Acinetobacter spp. infection is essential.

Genotype characterization of occult hepatitis B virus strains among Egyptian chronic hepatitis C patients

Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection combined with occult hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection has been associated with increased risk of hepatitis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of occult HBV infection among Egyptian chronic HCV patients, the genotype and occurrence of surface gene mutations of HBV and the impact of co-infection on early response to treatment. The study enrolled 162 chronic HCV patients from Ismailia Fever Hospital, Egypt, who were HBV surface antigen-negative. All patients were given clinical assessment and biochemical, histological and virological examinations. HBV-DNA was detectable in sera from 3 patients out of the 40 patients who were positive for hepatitis B core antibody. These 3 patients were responsive to combination therapy at treatment week 12; only 1 of them had discontinued therapy by week 24. HBV genotype D was the only detectable genotype in those patients, with absence of "a" determinant mutations among those isolates.

Representation Shifts Using Knowledge Compilation

Tractability versus expressiveness is a problem underlying the current generation of problem solvers. It is desirable to specify the problem, along with knowledge required for its solution, in the most expressive means possible. However, from the perspective of the solver, the most efficient representation is the least expressive one. One solution to this problem is to devise a means of transforming an expressive problem description into an efficient problem solver. Knowledge compilation is the process of transforming a domain theory into a form specialized for the solution of a given problem set. This paper will present OPCOMP, a system devised to compile a first order quantifier free predicate calculus domain theory into a problem reduction solver.

Effect of genitourinary cancer mortality calculated using the potential years of life lost (PYLL): Trends from 1972-2006 based on a report from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database

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Background: We aim to illustrate the potential years of life lost (PYLL) and the average years of life lost (AYLL); secondary to genitourinary cancer in US during the period from 1972-2006 utilizing the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database, and illustrate the trends in the PYLL over this time period.

Methods: PYLL were calculated to assess premature mortality trends in US for ureter, urinary bladder, kidney and renal pelvis, penis, testis, and prostate cancers. AYLL is the average of the differences between the actual ages at death and the expected remaining years of life for each person who died of cancer. Calculations were made based on the SEER cancer mortality data.

Results: There were a total of 7,733,235 PYLL in both men and women secondary to urogenital cancer in US in the period from 1972-2006. In both males and females, the greatest PYLL were for kidney and renal pelvis cancer related mortality. In both sexes no improvement in PYLL secondary to ureteral and bladder cancer related mortality was observed. In males the greatest reduction in PYLL was in testicular cancer followed by prostate cancer.

Conclusions: PYLL and AYLL are two powerful tools that reflect the impact of cancer related mortality on society. There has been an increasing trend in PYLL related to urogenital cancers over the last 35 years for both males and females. Kidney cancer had the highest increase in PYLL among both genders and more efforts are needed to address its progression.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Heme oxygenase enzyme activity in seminal plasma of oligoasthenoteratozoospermic males with varicocele

This work aimed to assess seminal plasma heme oxygenase (HO) enzyme activity in oligoasthenoteratozoospermia (OAT) males with varicocele. Ninety-three men were divided according to their sperm count and clinical examination into: healthy fertile controls (n = 34), OAT without varicocele (n = 37) and OAT associated with varicocele (n = 22). They were subjected to semen analysis and estimation of seminal plasma HO enzyme activity in the form of bilirubin concentration. Seminal plasma HO enzyme activity decreased significantly in OAT cases compared with controls. Seminal plasma HO in OAT cases associated with varicocele decreased significantly compared with OAT cases without varicocele and healthy controls (mean +/- SD; 109.2 +/- 29.5, 283.6 +/- 88.4, 669.5 +/- 236.1 nMol bilirubin/mg ptn/min, P < 0.001). There was positive correlation between seminal plasma HO enzyme activity and sperm concentration, per cent of motile spermatozoa, number of motile spermatozoas ml(-1) and significant negative correlation with sperm abnormal forms per cent. It is concluded that varicocele has a negative impact on seminal HO enzyme activity. Therefore, improved seminal picture after correcting varicocele repair might be related, in part, to improved HO action(s).

Granular cell tumour of the neurohypophysis: a rare sellar tumour with specific radiological and operative features

Symptomatic granular cell tumours of the neurohypophysis are rare sellar lesions. Preoperative prediction of the diagnosis on the basis of radiological appearance is useful as these tumours carry specific surgical difficulties. This is possible when the tumour arises from the pituitary stalk, rostral to a normal pituitary gland. This has not been emphasized previously.

Effect of HO-1 cDNA-liposome complex transfer on erectile signalling of aged rats

This work aimed to assess the efficacy of haeme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) cDNA-liposome complex transfer as a mediator of erectile signalling in aged rats. One hundred and fifty aged white albino rats were equally divided into five groups: controls, rats receiving lipofectamine, rats receiving intracorporeal HO-1 cDNA-lipsome complex, rats receiving HO-1 cDNA-liposome complex plus nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor, and rats receiving HO-1 cDNA-liposome complex plus HO inhibitor. Six rats were killed from each group after 12, 24 and 48 h, and after1 and 2 weeks. In dissected cavernous tissues, the following were assessed: HO-1 gene expression, Western blot for HO-1, HO enzyme activity, cGMP and histopathology. The results showed that HO-1 cDNA-liposome complex transfer led to a significant increase in cavernous tissue HO-1 protein, HO-1 gene expression, HO enzyme activity and cGMP up to 1 week. NOS inhibition exhibited no effect on HO-1 gene enhancement of cavernous tissue HO enzyme activity or cGMP, whereas inhibition of HO significantly decreased these parameters. Histopathology of cavernous tissue demonstrated a significant dilatation of helicine arteries in HO-1 cDNA-liposome complex treated group after 48 h compared with the controls. It is concluded that HO-1 cDNA-liposome complex transfer augments cavernous tissue cGMP with subsequent sinusoidal relaxation.

Early postnatal development of rat brain: in vivo diffusion tensor imaging

Perinatal hypoxia is a major cause of neurodevelopmental deficits. Neuronal migration patterns are particularly sensitive to perinatal hypoxia/ischemia and are associated with the clinical deficits. The rat model of hypoxia/ischemia at P7 mimics that of perinatal injury in humans. Before assessing the effects of postnatal injury on brain development, it is essential to determine the normal developmental trajectories of various brain structures in individual animals. In vivo longitudinal diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) was performed from postnatal day 0 (P0) to P56 on Wistar rats. The DTI metrics, mean diffusivity (MD), fractional anisotropy (FA), axial (lambdal) and radial (lambdat) diffusivities, were determined for four gray matter and eight white matter structures. The FA of the cortical plate and the body of corpus callosum decreased significantly during the first 3 weeks after birth. The decrease in the cortical plate's FA value was associated mainly with an increase in lambdat. The initial decrease in FA of corpus callosum was associated with a significant decrease in lambdal. The FA of corpus callosum increased during the rest of the observational period, which was mainly associated with a decrease in lambdat. The FA of gray matter structures, hippocampus, caudate putamen, and cortical mantle did not show significant changes between P0 and P56. In contrast, the majority of white matter structures showed significant changes between P0 and P56. These temporal changes in the DTI metrics were related to the neuronal and axonal pruning and myelination that are known to occur in the developing brain.